Drought

While weather this week is helping bring moisture to portions of the Plains, climatologists say you have to go back a couple decades to see a drought scenario similar to this year. The dryness is planting concerns.

Farmers are entering into spring planting season with drought covering a most of the western half of the country. A new study looking into the problem shows dry periods between rain have become longer in the West.

USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report revealed 85% of New Mexico is seeing short to very short topsoil moisture conditions, and 83% of North Dakota is seeing topsoil conditions that are desperately dry.

Following 2020’s devastating derecho in Iowa, lingering drought and recent floods, agronomists remind producers to adjust their planting decisions accordingly.

A new tool seeks to use tweets as an early warning system for drought.

Current dry weather conditions could play havoc with the 2021 crop. Take proactive steps now to manage through these conditions, advises Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.

A weather pattern known as La Nina created drought conditions, and subsequent wildfires, across the U.S. Great Plains has faded, But its weather cousin, El Nino, may develop, according to the Climate Prediction Center.

Farm Journal’s field agronomist Missy Bauer says small seed size can have a major impact on soybean yield, causing yields to swing 15 to 20 bu. per acre.