Northey comments on Iowa Crops and Weather Report

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, who recently visited Decorah, commented Monday on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.  The report is released weekly from April through October.
 
"Crop conditions continue to deteriorate as the hot, dry weather persists.  Now 40 percent of the corn crop is in poor or very poor condition and only 23 percent is in good to excellent condition.  For soybeans it is 30 percent poor or very poor and only 28 percent good to excellent," Northey said.  "The weather is also a real challenge for livestock producers as pastures dry up and they work around the clock to keep their animals cool."
 
The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA's site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia.