IOWA CROPS

The condition of Iowa's corn and soybeans continues to deteriorate as summer brings more hot weather and little rain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in Monday's July 16th 2012 weekly report that only 36 percent of the corn and 38 percent of the soybeans are in good to excellent shape in the widest drought in nearly 25 years. In 2011, about 80 percent of Iowa's corn and soybeans were in good to excellent condition. The USDA says most of Iowa's topsoil and subsoil moisture levels are running short or very short, despite widespread rain last week. (Kevin E. Schmidt/Maquoketa Studios)