The state of Iowa is completely out of drought, allowing for positive results for crops.

Dallas County Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist Meaghan Anderson tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the state is racing through the reproduction stages for corn and soybeans, with mostly all the corn being tasseled. 

Anderson recalls hearing from a state climatologist that this is the first time in four years that Iowa is witnessing no drought. She emphasizes the good signs crops have seen from the moisture this spring and summer.

“Absolutely replenishing our soil moisture has been critical and we have successfully done that. We’ve made up for a lot of dry conditions that we’ve seen over the past few years by getting more moisture into the soil, so that our crops can use it this time of the year when we are getting less rainfall.”

However, Anderson points out that the downside to the moisture leaving places of saturated soil conditions resulting in delays in the crops, replanting, and could produce lower yields in some areas. She expects the fall harvest to be good, but claims it’s still too early to be sure.