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Drought conditions creep up in eastern Iowa

A farmer in eastern Iowa says his area needs some rain.

Matthew Willimack raises corn and soybeans in DeWitt near the Mississippi River. He tells Brownfield his farm has received a small amount of moisture this fall.

“We had just a few days of downtime (during harvest) from weather,” he said. “It made for pretty good harvest conditions.”

Willimack says subsoils need to be replenished heading into winter.

“I think we could use some moisture again. Everything is wrapped up as far as harvest goes in this area. I would say most people would take some rain before we get a hard freeze.”

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows a good portion of far eastern Iowa is under D1 moderate drought conditions. Approximately 67% of the state is currently listed under a drought-related category.