Iowa crops are considered “mostly in good condition” according to the latest crop and weather report from the U.S.D.A.
Last week’s combination of scattered rain and hot, humid days helped crops planted in well-drained fields grow rapidly. However, low-lying fields are completely saturated and it’s been difficult for farmers to get into fields to bale hay or harvest oats.
The 2010 Iowa corn crop is ahead of last year’s in terms of development. The U.S.D.A. rates 70 percent of the corn in Iowa in good or excellent shape.
Many farmers aren’t able to get into their soybean fields to spray, but U.S.D.A. officials report soybean aphid numbers are low at this point in the growing season. Seventy-one percent of Iowa soybeans are rated good or excellent.