Recent Iowa rains are expected to provide ample topsoil moisture to assist corn and soybean emergence, but timely rains will be needed throughout the growing season as late summer forecasts call for warm and dry conditions.

Dennis Todey, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Midwest Climate Hub, said a quick transition to La Niña from a strong late winter El Niño could bring a continuance of drought conditions the state ...