Rain, clouds help Iowa crops

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Rain, clouds help Iowa crops

USDA officials say last week’s rains helped stimulate crop growth in Iowa.  Reporters say the cloudy sky also helped fields retain the moisture from those rains, bringing some relief to their dry fields.

Planting is nearly finished, and corn emergence is at 97%, while soybean emergence is at 72%.  The state’s first soybean condition report shows 60% of the crop is good and 16% excellent.

First crop alfalfa hay cutting is underway, with 17% of the crop in.  The rains helped bring hay condition to 62% good-to-excellent.  Pasture conditions improved to 54% good to excellent.

Reporters say feedlots were muddy, but there was little stress on livestock last week.

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