Subsoil Moisture

We had septic tank investigations in eastern Fayette County today.  As I drove over there, it was evident that rain had fallen the whole way.  First stop was at St. Elmo.  Judging from about 3 inches of moist topsoil my guess would be they had a half inch of rain or less.  The first 30 inches were fairly dry.  Soil below that was most.  Near Vandalia, soil was dry below the recent rainfall moisture to about 2 feet.  Moisture at those depths is considered available, but it takes more energy for the plants to pump it.  With corn pollinating and soybeans flowering, soil moisture is tenuous at best.  As temperatures rise, uptake can't keep up with evapo-transpiration.