Missouri's 2023 corn season is suffering a serious blow. Prolonged drought and hotter-than-average temperatures have led to what could be one of the state's worst corn harvests.
Out of Missouri's 114 counties, the USDA has designated 48 as disaster zones due to the detrimental weather conditions. The state's corn crop is heavily affected, with a worrying 44% deemed poor or very poor.
Even though things are tough, farmers are not giving up. Missouri's corn silk is currently at 94%, which is 4% above the five-year average. Moreover, more than half of the corn crop has entered the dough stage, again ahead of the five-year average.
However, the state's drought issue remains a serious concern. Rainfall has been significantly lower than normal, exacerbating the drought situation. The most recent reports show that over 20% of Missouri is experiencing extreme drought conditions. This is a drastic change from three months ago when drought was a non-issue for nearly three-quarters of the state.
Looking at the records, June 2023 was recorded as the driest for Missouri since 1895. As the dry spell continues, Missouri's corn crisis has become a prominent issue, putting the state's agriculture sector under considerable strain.
Source : wisconsinagconnection