Warmer temperatures are good news for county's corn growers

The growing season in Winneshiek County had been a little behind normal--until September came around.

Warm temperatures early in the month and temperatures in the 80s this week have helped corn growers more than catch up to normal.

Forecasters use "Growing Degree Days" to figure out when crops should mature, using heat accumulation to predict plant development, including when a crop will reach maturity.

Northeast Iowa growing degree figures now range from around 2,300 to 2,400.  That's already enough to bring a 95-day hybrid to maturity and close to what a 105-day hybrid needs.