Much of Iowa remains dry

Recent warm dry weather has helped move Iowa’s harvest along, but has alsoleft much of Iowa’s soil short of moisture. The state Agriculture Departmentsays topsoil was 57-percent short or very short of moisture. StateClimatologist Harry Hillaker says the dry weather is a mixed blessing as itlets farmers get the crops in, but also raises concerns about erosion. But,he says it’s too early to be too concerned about the dry soil.The dry weather has allowed the soybean harvest to move well ahead of lastyear at this time (67-percent complete), while the corn harvest is slightyahead of last year at this time (33-percent complete).