(Radio Iowa) – The dry conditions in parts of Iowa this year have been a mixed blessing for wineries. Iowa Wine Growers Association, marketing director, Nicole Eilers says the drought has led to some loss in production — but it also has a positive.

The derecho on August 10th also made an impact on the grape crop in parts of the state.

Another impact of the drought has been an increase in problems with birds looking to grapes as a meal.

Eilers says the birds can eat up a crop quickly.

Eilers says the dry conditions combined with the coronavirus pandemic have hit the industry hard and she expects some wineries will not be able to survive into next year.