Rain causing big headache for Eastern Iowa farmers

Higher than normal rainfall from April 1 of this year to now in multiple Eastern Iowa counties is causing a big headache for farmers trying to salvage their crops.

According to Jim Fawcett, field agronomist for Iowa State Extension Office in Iowa City, one of the hardest hit areas is just south of Mount Pleasant.

“Some crops were never planted,” Fawcett said.

Besides dead crops in low spots, Fawcett said crops do not grow well when the ground is saturated, so yields will likely be reduced.

Wet conditions have also stripped away nitrogen from the soil which means corn yields won't be as high.

“This is the third wet year in a row, so maybe farmers are getting used to it,” Fawcett said.

Dry weeks allow farmers to spray herbicide and bale hay, among other necessities.

KCRG Meteorologist Josh Baynes said data indicates Mount Pleasant has received more than 27 inches of rain since April 1. In comparison, Iowa City has received 21.38 inches in the past three and a half months, which is more than eight inches above normal.