OTTUMWA — Southern Iowa got its first significant rains in quite some time earlier this week.
It hasn’t yet had an effect on the drought.
That doesn’t mean the picture is good, though.
Extreme drought remains in place for much of Davis County.
Southeastern Appanoose and the southwest tip of Van Buren counties are also in extreme drought.
Wapello County is split between severe drought in the south and moderate drought in the north.
There’s reason for concern.
Later drought can decrease the size and number of kernels on an ear of corn.
Soybeans are more resistant to drought, but dry weather can take a toll on those crops, too.
“Drought stressed soybean are often shorter with smaller leaves due to lack of water, nutrient availability and nutrient uptake,” according to the report.