Local crops doing well despite dry conditions

Northeast Iowa farmers say that they could use a little more rainfall but that their crops are doing fine overall.

The latest crop report says that more than three-quarters of Iowa corn crop is rated at good to excellent condition, while soybeans are 11 days ahead of last year's average. Oat condition is 80 percent excellent.

Decorah-area corn grower Bob Hemesath, the president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, said, "We're looking pretty good up here. We haven't had excess rainfall but we've had enough--I'd say we're a little ahead of normal on the growth stage."