Wet weather keeps pestering NE Iowa farmers

Iowa State University Extension Agronomist Brian Lang of Decorah says "growing degree days" for corn in Northeast Iowa from May 1st until today are about 40 behind normal.  Lang says from VE to V10, it takes about 84 growing degree days for each leaf to appear. From V11 to Tassel, it takes about 56 growing degree days for each leaf to appear.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey is echoing Lang's desire to see warmer temperatures and less rain: "Wet weather and storms continues to make it difficult to spray fields and make hay, but fortunately much of the crop remains in good condition," Northey said.   The state reported corn crops at 56 percent good and 24 percent excellent.

Meanwhile, Lang does have some good news--his most recent scouting trip for aphids near Decorah saw a drop in aphid numbers from the previous week.  He calls the results "unexpected and unexplained, but good news."  Other crop experts in the upper Midwest also have seen lower than expected numbers of aphids at this time.