Iowa — A very rainy May set Iowa farmers back on planting, and all that moisture also put crops at risk.
Pools of standing water can still be found in low areas of fields throughout the state, leaving nearly a quarter of Iowa’s farmland topsoil holding surplus moisture. Besides keeping farmers from finishing their planting, USDA Midwest Climate Hub director Dennis Todey says the standing water could hurt already-planted crops down the line, if it dries out.
Todey says he has several concerns for planted crops in areas where there’s still standing water.
June is typically Iowa’s wettest month, and current climate projections show more rain is likely, with drier conditions possible by the middle of the month.
