Heat wave takes toll on Iowa crops, livestock

[phantom power]

The heat wave continues to take a toll on Iowa's crops and livestock.

In the weekly crop report on Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 75 percent of the corn crop is in good to excellent shape, a decrease from 80 percent the week before. Seventy-three percent of the soybean crop is in good to excellent condition, a slide from 79 percent.

The report said along with livestock losses, the hot and humid weather is slowing weight gain and lowering milk production.

Reports of over 14 inches of rain in the Dubuque area last Wednesday and Thursday caused flash flooding that damaged property and crops.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9OS0V3O0.htm

[Angry Dragon]

1. Food prices will go up

[orwell]

2. Keep on votin' for the Cons...

...even if you cook to death.

[jimlup]

3. Driving through Iowa mid-July I was concerned that the crop wasn't as far along as I expect nt