OTTUMWA —
The U.S. Department of agriculture used a word to describe last week's harvest conditions that almost no one associates with this year: "ideal."
Now if only the crops were so good.
More than a third of Iowa's corn crop has been harvested, according to the report released Monday. A lack of rain made it easy for farmers to get into their fields, though many don't like what they're finding once they're out. Corn conditions declined. Twenty-one percent is now rated as very poor, and an additional 29 percent rates poor. Less than one in five fields are rated good or excellent.
Soybeans have weathered the 2012 drought better than corn, thanks in large part to rains in August. Forty percent of the crop rates fair, while another 26 percent rates good or excellent.
Last week also brought the first freeze of the season, according to State Climatologist Harry Hillaker. Conditions throughout the state were unseasonably cool and northwestern Iowa saw lows as cold as 22 degrees. Summer has not given up entirely, though, with the state's high temperature hitting 90.
The state's drought conditions aren't improving, Hillaker wrote:
"The statewide average precipitation was only 0.17 inches while normal for the week is 0.77 inches. This was the 18th week of the past 20 with less than normal precipitation."
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
Dry conditions speed harvest
- CNHI/Southeast Iowa
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Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
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Where to get the best deal on beer, haircuts, movies
Looking for a good deal on a six-pack of beer? Try Charlotte. A haircut that won't burn a hole in your wallet? Harlingen, Texas, is your best bet. A trip to the movies? Hilo, Hawaii, is supposed to be nice this time of year.
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VIDEO: Tornado survivor's missing dog found during TV interview
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Barber shows no signs of cutting career short
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Life and Times
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Okla. front pages capture tornado aftermath
View how several Oklahoma newspapers covered Monday's massive tornado in Moore. Please note that officials revised the death toll downward early Tuesday morning after some papers were printed, but it is expected to climb again as recovery efforts continue.
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Corn planting soars on break in the weather
The percentage of corn planted in Iowa grew by more than 50 percentage points last week with what experts called the first really good week of weather for farmers.
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VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
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69-year-old leads deputies on high speed chase
A homeless man driving a stolen vehicle May 15 in Appanoose County at 2:30 a.m. in an attempt to elude law enforcement rammed the pursuing patrol car and is now facing five class D felony charges. Roy Steed Cope, 69, has been charged by the Appanoose
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LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
A massive tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. Follow live coverage of the aftermath of the storm.
- More CNHI/Southeast Iowa Headlines
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