DES MOINES — Iowa farmers are a little behind getting corn and soybeans out of fields because rain has caused soft ground and in some cases muddy conditions, slowing their progress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop update released Tuesday that 19 percent of the state’s corn is harvested, about three days behind last year and a week behind the five-year average.
Soybean farmers have managed to get 43 percent of the crop harvested, about three days behind last year’s pace.
The USDA says 81 percent of corn and soybean crops are rated good to excellent.