Rain and cool temperatures have crops behind schedule--but not seriously so

Photo courtesy of Randy Uhl

Higher-than-normal rainfall and cooler-than-normal temperatures continue to affect farmers in Northeast Iowa and around the state.

The latest crop report says almost all of Iowa's corn crop is in the dough stage or beyond and 72 percent has reached the dent stage.  Six percent of the corn acreage statewide is mature, which is almost two weeks behind normal.  76 percent of the corn acreage is in good to excellent condition.

With almost the entire soybean crop setting pods or beyond, 26 percent of soybean leaves are turning color, which is four days behind average.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay is 64 percent complete, almost 2 weeks behind both last year and the five-year average.