Hot and Dry Threat: Corn Belt Braces for Summer Heat Impact on Crops

Jul 24, 2023

The Corn Belt faces a pivotal period as scorching heat threatens to overshadow the recent relief from dry conditions. A heat ridge expanding from the South is poised to bring above-normal temperatures and reduced precipitation, leaving corn and soybean production for the 2023 season hanging in the balance.

As the ridge shifts westward and envelops the Midwest, temperatures are expected to soar, with many areas experiencing 90-degree weather and sporadic triple-digit readings. The extent of the heat's reach remains uncertain, with eastern states like Ohio and Michigan expected to witness less intense temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit. Nevertheless, warm overnight lows will add to the challenge, providing little respite for crops.

The presence of disturbances moving over the top of the ridge is likely to produce thunderstorm clusters and potential derechos. While some areas may receive much-needed rainfall, regions south of the thunderstorm track could suffer significant crop damage due to the ongoing drought. Kansas and Missouri have already faced challenges despite recent rainfall, leaving corn and soybeans vulnerable to magnified heat stress.

As corn enters its crucial pollination and fill stage, and soybeans begin blooming and setting pods, moisture becomes a critical factor. The existing drought conditions leave little to no reserves for the crops to rely upon during the impending heatwave. The impact of the heat will be even more pronounced if the dry spell persists deeper into August.

Both models and DTN forecasts suggest that the first half of August will continue with above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall, exacerbating the situation for crop growth in parched soil.

The outlook, however, holds a glimmer of hope, as projections indicate the heat ridge might recede in mid-August, allowing a cooler trough to settle in the Great Lakes region. Such a shift would bring much-needed relief to the Corn Belt and offer respite to the beleaguered crops.

As the region braces for the looming heat wave, farmers, researchers, and experts are closely monitoring the situation. Prayers are directed towards a timely end to the heat pattern, providing much-needed reprieve and better prospects for the Corn Belt's agricultural future.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.