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Due to storms across the state and their heavy rainfall, planting activities in Iowa were delayed last week and farms had 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Regional Climatologist Michael Timlin states more than half the state had more than twice the normal amount of rainfall and parts of northeastern Iowa had more than four times normal totals.

Southeast Iowa leads the regions with 42% of soybeans planted so far. Overall, only 11% of the state’s soybean crop is in the ground, equal to the five-year average. Southeast Iowa has 74% of corn planted, while the state is behind the five-year average of 48% with only 40% planted so far.