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Rain slows Iowa/Nebraska crop planting but corn progresses

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Although rain has slowed progress in some regions of the country, farmers planting corn remain ahead of schedule. Nationally, 94 percent of the crop is planted, two percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday virtually all the corn is planted in Iowa and 90 percent of the plants have emerged from the dirt, about five days ahead of average.

Iowa's soybean planting is 10 percentage points ahead of normal with 88 percent planted.

Nebraska's corn crop is at 96 percent, near the five-year average and soybean planting is at 73 percent, behind the average of 82 percent.

Rain is presenting challenges in areas of both states and water is reported standing in some fields from the frequent showers and thunderstorms in recent days.