Latest crop concern: Cool temperatures

The weather this week could be unusually cool for July, with high temperatures in the 60s and 70s.

That might be good news for most of us, but farmers count on the heat of July to help their crops grow.  Iowa State Extension Agronomist Brian Lang, who has his office in Decorah, says farmers are already an average of two days behind normal because of cool temperatures.

Lang notes that "Cooler than normal July-August weather usually allows for higher yield potential, assuming we don't have an early frost."

A map showing corn growing degree days can be found at: https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/data/summary/gdd_may1.png