Weather - General
Hurricane-force winds swept from northern Missouri and Iowa all the way east to Illinois and Indiana. The derecho brought wind gusts up to 100 mph, flattening cornfields, but it also drenched soils with crucial rains.
Even with rains sweeping the Northern Corn Belt last weekend, the latest drought monitor shows drought continues to spread across Illinois with D2 (Severe Drought) taking a 28-point jump in a week.
Drought is deepening across the Midwest with 64% of the corn crop and 57% of the soybean crop across the U.S. now covered in drought, a sizable jump in just a week after NASS showed a historic drop in condition ratings.
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.
Winter is not the high precipitation time frame for many portions of farm country, Snodgrass says. One spring storm system can deliver the same amount of soil moisture as all the snowfall during the winter.
It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, winter or fall, weather is always on producers’ minds. While slower seasons can offer relief, winter can drain emotional batteries. Here are two steps to help find relief.
John Phipps says Thanksgiving shouldn’t be a weather-dependent celebration. Gratitude doesn’t watch the 6-10 day forecast. John’s annual Harvest of Thanks message is a good reminder for your heart and mind.
Iowa farmers were just weeks away from harvest when 100 mph winds raced across their fields, flattening a year’s worth of work. A short film shows what farmers in the derecho’s path experienced on Aug. 10, 2020.
July proved to be a scorcher in the West, but the weather story flipped to start August, with much of the eastern half of the country enjoying cooler and dryer air during the first few days of the month.
The outlook continues to be for hot and dry conditions.
Early in March, a massive wildfire swept across the Southern Plains states, burning 1.5 million acres of grassland, and affecting farmers and ranchers in three states--Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The human cost was significant--the rapidly moving fire killed seven people, either trying to save cattle or flee their homes. While the economic cost is still being tallied, we do know that at least 20,000 head of cattle and hogs were killed and an estimated 18,000 miles of fencing was destroyed.
Data from Farm Journal and the United States Geological Service show the scope of farmers affected by flooding.
Farmers in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota are bracing for yet another monster storm.
A list of resources for farmers and ranchers impacted by flooding.
As much as 40% of all German wheat will be used for animal fodder this year, double the usual level, according to estimates from Agravis and researcher Agriculture Market Information Co.
Bitter cold temperatures are on the way, and they will move the livestock cold stress index into the emergency category for a prolonged period.
Hard freeze warnings are in effect for areas of Texas & Gulf Coast.
Argentine rains are weighing on the market to start the week.
Drought monitor notes that 33.20% of contiguous U.S. is drought-free -- minor improvement from last week.
Editor Chip Flory and Senior Market Analyst Brian Grete discuss 13 things to watch in 2013.
But much more precip needed to alleviate long-term dryness.
Warmer temps increase moisture needs, drought to remain.
Says U.S. HRW wheat area also in need of more precip.
Outside markets supportive for commodity buying to start new year.
Models split as to strength of episode this winter.