Last week’s cooler temperatures and bursts of rain in many areas didn’t do much to help Iowa’s corn crop. 

Moisture levels in the topsoil improved ever so slightly, but subsoil moisture dropped to 67 percent very short and 29 percent short in Iowa. Only four percent of the state has what’s considered “adequate” subsoil moisture.

When it comes to rating the corn crop, the experts say just 20 percent is considered in good or excellent condition.

The state’s ag secretary says the rain Iowa received last week was very welcome, but much more is needed. The soybean crop could perk up with some additional rain, but Northey says the corn has matured so fast the harvest will begin in a few weeks. Harvesting corn in August is unprecedented, according to Northey.