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Corn Crop Threatened by DroughtBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · July 16, 2012
Earlier this spring, experts predicted that this year’s corn harvest would set record highs in the United States as well as globally. With a warm spring and prime planting conditions, domestic corn was sown earlier than usual and strong growth promised an excellent yield if favorable conditions followed.
However, below-average rainfall in late spring has led to a serious drought in the Midwest. Nine states presently have crop conditions rated as poor or very poor in many growing areas. The affected states are not top producers of corn, though their contributions will affect the total harvest. Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Iowa, all of which are important corn producers, are experiencing normal crop development so far this year.
According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, less than half of the nation’s corn crops were in good or excellent condition as of July 1. The next few weeks will be critical in the outcome of crops under stress from low soil moisture.
