Hot, dry weather affecting Iowa soils

Many areas in Northeast Iowa have been getting adequate rainfall, but the rest of the state hasn't been as fortunate.  Hot, dry weather prevailed across Iowa during the week ending July 9th, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In Iowa, topsoil moisture levels are now rated 12 percent very short, 28 percent short, 58 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels are rated 7 percent very short, 22 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

The situation is especially critical in southeast Iowa, where over one-half of the topsoil has fallen to the very short moisture level category with almost one third of the subsoil also in the very short moisture level category.

Said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, "During county fair season and corn pollination season, we hope for cooler weather and more agreeable conditions for livestock and crops."