Iowa has had a fairly dry autumn this year. This has some people worried that the subsoil of Iowa’s fields are to dry too maintain crops next year. Jim Fawcet, Crop Specialist for ISU Extension, says that plant roots grow about 5 feet deep. So if we have a dry summer like we did this year, the moisture in the subsoil keeps the crops alive. They aren’t sure if the subsoil has received enough moisture for next year. They usually test subsoil moisture every year, but haven’t had to in recent years because of how wet it’s been. They are currently testing the subsoil moisture levels. If they come back with dryer than usual levels, that could mean lower yields for local farmers next year.

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