For the first time in days, the sun was shining May 30 when about 70 southern Iowa farmers packed into the Wapello County Extension and Outreach office in Ottumwa to learn what they could do on fields that had been drenched by constant rain through April and May.

Late corn planting, switching crops and prevent plant options were discussed, but what farmers really wanted to know was if they would be able to plant a crop this year or not.

No one had that answer.

“I’m here to learn what decisions can be made at this point, how it might affect me financially and the potential effects of late planting on yields down the road,” said Alex Swanstrom, a Wapello County Farm Bureau...