Precipitation

As multiple weeks of significant rainfall pushes planting progress far behind last year’s pace, Scott Irwin, professor at the University of Illinois, says these delays may not affect corn yields as much as you think.

There’s now a 60% chance La Niña will develop between June and August and an 85% chance it’s in effect by November 2024 to January 2025, according to NOAA.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows drought coverage is now at its lowest level since spring of 2020, but USDA’s topsoil moisture map shows it’s still extremely dry in areas of the west and too wet in the east.

The shift to El Nino brings several changes to the upcoming winter.

Dry conditions spurred by La Nina weighed on areas of the Corn Belt in 2022. As La Nina fades, and El Nino starts to make a return, meteorologists say the weather shift could also signal better crop production in 2023.

The timing of the rains can make it difficult for producers that are trying hard to put quality hay in the bale for next winter’s feed supply.