Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Ida isn’t the only weather worry on grain production over the weekend. Torrential rains also hit the Upper Midwest, with heavy rains and strong winds impacting crops.
The National Weather Service (NWS) posted a map of rainfall total, which shows isolated parts of Iowa seeing more than 20 inches of rain during the month of August. But with much of the summer and month being dry for northeast Iowa, farmers say the change was a sudden switch.
Impressive (almost scary) rainfall totals in our area this month (Aug.2021) - Ionia, IA 20.65", Elma, IA 16.34", St.Ansgar, IA 12.90", La Crosse, WI 11.76", Fayette, IA 11.42", Osage, IA 11.14", Charles City, IA 10.93" pic.twitter.com/bMWDIkCnMe
— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) August 29, 2021
NWS shows Ionia, Iowa saw 20.65" of rain during August, with Elma, Iowa’s totals showing 16.34" of rain. Most of that rain fell in the final two weeks of the month. Bruce Lantzky says 10 inches of rain fell just over the past week where he lives in Waverly, Iowa.
This was 40 acres of really good beans. At least we will save wear and tear on the combine for that 40 acres. pic.twitter.com/XOfnXzjQtC
— Bruce Lantzky (@Lantzkyfarms) August 30, 2021
— Bruce Lantzky (@Lantzkyfarms) August 30, 2021
— Loran Steinlage (@FLOLOfarms) August 29, 2021
Just last week, areas of northwest Iowa saw a powerful storm that flattened corn and soybean fields, with soybean fields nearly unrecognizable. The POET ethanol plant in Fairbank, Iowa also sustained damage, with the facility closed for corn receiving last Wednesday.
Even with the recent rains, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows Iowa still plastered with drought, with 82% of the state experiencing dryness.
