Purdue Experts Say Grain Crop Prospects Continue To Fade

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue Extension experts say the chances of recovery for Indiana's flood-ravaged grain crops are becoming increasingly slim with more rain forecast over the next two weeks.

Corn expert Bob Nielsen says he has been optimistic with his assessment, based on the possibility that the weather would moderate. But he says every subsequent downpour pushes a few more fields off the cliff.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress report released Monday, 25 percent of Indiana's corn crop and 26 percent of the state's soybean crop was rated as poor or very poor. The experts say waterlogged plants desperately need a stretch of dry weather to allow roots to regenerate.

Heavy rains and flooding across much of the Midwest have left many corn and soybean fields saturated or flooded.