The majority of northeast Iowa is now considered to be in extreme drought; and it’s taking its toll on area crops.
Terry Basol is an Iowa State University Agronomist with the Northeast Iowa Research Farm near Nashua, which has been in the midst of the drought most of the growing season.Â
Basol says corn is at a critical stage in kernel development, but it’s not too late for rain to be beneficial.
Basol adds that the drought is also impacting grazing land.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Iowa, based on precipitation through 7 am Tuesday, August 29nd, all of Chickasaw, Bremer, Howard, Winneshiek and Allamakee counties are now experiencing extreme drought, along with almost all of Floyd, Butler, Mitchell and Black Hawk counties. About two-thirds of Franklin and Fayette counties, half of Cerro Gordo County and a northeast corner of Worth County also rated D3 for extreme drought.
The next Drought Monitor report is due to be released this Thursday (09.07).
