31.   Slugs have also been active and oilseed rape crops are mainly thin and patchy with pigeon damage.

32.   Almost the entire crop is yellow corn, but there are dozens of varieties offered by rival seed companies, including seven hybrids containing Bt genes.

33.   Almond, orange, cabbage and cauliflower crops have also been hit by storm damage, and other tree fruit growers are holding their breath.

34.   Already damaged from a six-month Plains drought, wheat crops are beginning to form heads, a sensitive development stage that determines output.

35.   Although vegetable crops were hardest hit, citrus growers are also worried.

36.   Among the hardest-hit crops are cotton, corn and sorghum.

37.   And by the time the rains stopped, the crops were too tall for spraying.

38.   Analysts who toured Midwestern corn and soybean fields said crops are in generally good condition.

39.   And if this freshman crop is any indication, their dominance should continue for several more years.