Iowa Crops Continue Slide in Hot, Dry Summer

The sun rises in Pleasant Plains, Ill. on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Corn crops are struggling under dry conditions and a record breaking heat wave that is over most of the country. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Aug 6, 2012 at 10:48 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 6, 2012 at 10:48 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's crops continue to decline as the drought tightens its grip on key farm states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 49 percent of the corn crop is in poor to very poor condition. Last week, it was 46 percent. Just 16 percent is rated good or excellent.

The USDA says 37 percent of the soybean crop is in bad shape. That compares to 30 percent a week ago.

The dry summer is also taking a toll on Iowa's pastureland, with 86 percent rated poor or very poor.

Storms arrived late Friday and Saturday with over 2 inches of rain in eastern Iowa. The statewide average for the week was 0.62 inches, or two-thirds of the normal.

Audubon got 0.01 inches of rain, ending a streak of 41 dry days.

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