News

Parts of Iowa inundated with rain

The strong storms and heavy rains that rolled through Iowa last week have stressed crops, flooded some fields and limited farmers’ ability to get needed work done.

“Spraying weeds, side-dressing fertilizer, making hay and other activities were all slowed by the wet weather,” says Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey.  “Some farmers in southwest and south central Iowa may be forced to take prevented-planting coverage on some fields they will not be able to plant before July 1.”

Even with the adverse weather, 83 percent of Iowa’s corn and 78 percent of soybeans are rated in good to excellent condition.