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Iowa gets rain but needs more

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

June 5th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Much of Iowa has received some rain, but the state could use some more to help ease the dry spots.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in Monday’s crop report that corn conditions declined slightly for the second consecutive week. The report shows 75 percent of the corn is rated good to excellent. That’s down from 77 percent a week ago and 81 percent two weeks ago. The first soybean rating puts the crop at 71 percent in good to excellent condition.  The USDA says 46 percent of Iowa’s topsoil and 45 percent of the subsoil is dry.  Last week’s rain totals ranged from 0.35 inches at Bloomfield to 3.7 inches at Akron. The statewide average was 0.84 inches. In Atlantic, rainfall from May 27th through June 2nd amounted to .43″.