Drought conditions worsen across Iowa

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Drought conditions worsen across Iowa

The latest weekly report from USDA indicates crops in Iowa are showing signs of stress from the lack of precipitation and high heat.

The corn condition rating continued to plummet, dropping from over 80 percent good to excellent three weeks ago to just 56 percent as of Sunday.

Farmers are reporting corn curling and ground cracking in some areas.

Soybean development is ahead of normal, with scattered reports of pod setting.  The condition rating fell to 57 percent good to excellent, compared to 61 percent a week ago.

Topsoil moisture is rated 64 percent short to very short and about 70 percent of subsoil moisture is rated short to very short.

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