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Iowa’s crop ratings see more slippage

The condition ratings for Iowa’s corn and soybean crops continue to decline.

Corn was rated 65 percent good to excellent this week, while soybeans came in at 60 percent good to excellent. At the other end of the spectrum, 10 percent of corn and 12 percent of soybeans were rated poor to very poor.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 22 percent complete and overall hay condition dropped to 54 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 37 percent good to excellent.

“Much of the state remains very dry with farmers looking for a good soaking rain, especially as we enter August, a critically important time for soybeans,” said Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey.