2022 US Crop Yield Estimates are declining as crop conditions degrade and enough dry areas exist to cap yield expectations. Rainfall and cooler weather did recently help in many areas. The sum of late planting and periods of heat and dryness this summer has prevented yield potential from reaching record levels and final yield will hinge on how well grain fill finishes.
Widespread rainfall this past week helped western Iowa the most. Cooler weather also is beneficial to grain fill and reducing water stress. A quick trip to parts of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa shows many crops under drought stress. Corn appeared to retain decent kernel numbers, but likely will have smaller kernel size/weights and lower yield potential. Soybeans are setting fewer pods than normal and have a higher risk of lower-than-expected yields in drier areas than corn which was largely able to pollinate well.
The forecast continues to show a warmer and drier finish to the crop season in the central and northern corn-belt. Short-term cooler conditions in the eastern corn-belt are helpful, but the lack of widespread rainfall continues to hurt grain fill in the western corn-belt.
As crops in drought-stricken areas near maturity, forecasted precipitation and temperatures leave yield expectations up for debate.
Crop condition ratings continue to drop as many areas are very dry and in need of rain to finish well this crop season. Cooler temperatures are slowing ratings from slipping further.
Data from Unites States Department of Agriculture. https://www.nass.usda.gov/
Weekly precipitation
The past weeks’ rainfall coverage helped in western Iowa the most, but in many already drought-stricken areas, it might not have been sufficient to positively influence kernel size/weight and overall yield potential.
August precipitation to date
Normal precipitation % for August
August temperatures started out well above normal, but have since cooled off. These cooler temperatures are helping extend grain fill duration and reduce water stress.
Data from High Plains Regional Climate Center
Corn and soybean crop progress has almost caught up to normal levels even after a generally warmer than normal summer.
Drought remains firmly in place for the western corn-belt and is starting to be problematic for winter wheat establishment this fall in areas like Kansas. Drought carryover into 2023 is also a concern. This long-term drought in the western corn-belt and southern plains will require a wet fall and winter to reverse prior to next season’s spring planted crops.
Data from US Drought Monitor
With many fields under stress, a below-normal yield potential is expected. The outcome from the stress will likely be small kernels in corn while soybeans will struggle to set and fill pods.
Corn and soybean progress in western Iowa
For long-term forecasts, GFS and ECMWF agree on continued warmer and drier conditions to the north and beneficial wetter and cooler conditions in the south, especially in Texas.
GFS long-term forecasts
ECMWF long-term forecasts
In short-term weather outlooks, GFS and ECMWF differ. The GFS predicts much drier conditions with an east/west split in warmer west and cooler east. ECMWF forecasts show more scattered rains and a north/south split with warmer conditions in the north and cooler than normal in the south.
Neither forecast confidently shows a sign of widespread precipitation that is needed to maintain yield expectations going into September.
GFS short-term forecasts
ECMWF short-term forecasts
Lots of fungicide applications have been completed for the much-anticipated corn tar spot. So far it is not as widespread as 2021 and is running out of time to have any major implications on yield and stalk quality. In Wisconsin, repetitive storms over the past month have helped corn tar spot spread. In eastern Nebraska, confirmed corn tar spot sightings are something to watch going forward as irrigated corn fields create an ideal environment for disease development.
2022 corn tar spot sightings
As a result of early-mid season drought, corn is showing smaller kernel sizes and soybeans show similar stress with below-average pod sizes. Both are signs of a lower yield potential than normal. Long-term forecasts predict warm, dry conditions in the north and wet, cool conditions in the south. The limited rainfall in short-term forecasts leaves concern for reaching yield expectations going into September. Corn tar spot seems to be more controlled this year, but will be something to watch in irrigated areas as the environment becomes more ideal for disease development.
Exacto is pleased to announce the appointment of Malin Westfall as Chief Commercial Officer. Westfall’s appointment reflects Exacto’s commitment to driving commercial excellence as the company seeks to expand its market presence and advance its mission of improving resource efficiency in soil and water.
Exacto is excited to announce the hire of David Hollinrake as CEO. David brings over three decades of experience in the agricultural industry, including leadership roles at Syngenta, Bayer, Monsanto, and Adayana. David’s leadership at Exacto will continue our commitment to helping growers improve resource efficiency.
The Wisconsin Bug Guy, PJ Liesch, shares stories of scorpions, emerald ash borers, mosquitos, and other insects in this Cutting-Edge Perspective. As the UW Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab Director, PJ uses his expertise to identify unknown insects to point people in the right direction for pest management.
An increased use of biobased products reduces our nation’s reliance on petroleum, increases the use of renewable agricultural resources, and contributes to reducing adverse environmental and health impacts. Exacto’s USDA Certified Biobased Products are ready to boost your product line.
“We are pleased to announce a strategic partnership with S2G and Skyline Global Partners,” says Wally Beecroft CEO of Exacto®, LLC. “This will enable us to accelerate our innovation capability, geographic expansion, and expand our offerings, all in the service of our customers.”
Crop dusters and spray drones are taking flight, but is what’s in the tank enough to take on this year’s disease pressure? A strong fungicide or insecticide application can make or break a successful cropping season, but the optimum tank mix is incomplete without the right adjuvants.
While athletes almost always prefer natural grass fields, artificial turf is a widely used playing surface due to the perception that it is easier to maintain. There’s been a recent push to shift artificial surfaces back to natural grass as big-name players sustain season-ending injuries and organizations prioritize playing surface conditions when selecting hosts for tournaments.
Surfactants are widely used across the world – in fact, you probably use surfactants every day in soaps, detergents, toothpaste, cosmetics, and countless other applications. Surfactants are just as important in agriculture and turf and understanding how and when to use the right surfactant can make or break a successful application.
Pre-emergence herbicide applications offer a valuable tool to prevent or reduce weed infestations early in the season. While these applications are helpful, it can be a challenge to achieve optimum results. Adjuvant use is increasing and studies continue to prove their effectiveness.
Leaders from Exacto and other companies recently took part in advocacy activities in Washington, DC, engaging in twenty-four meetings with congressional leadership, senators, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They addressed a major challenge related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Failed weed control may resemble herbicide resistance, but it’s not always the culprit. Recent cases of HPPD-inhibitor (group 27) herbicide failures have shown that certain application errors are more common culprits than resistance. This research shows ways to overcome these application challenges.
Cutting-edge discussions on golf course maintenance, including adjuvants and wetting agents, took place at the 2024 GCSAA Conference. The Exacto team was in full swing, bringing spray adjuvants, wetting agents, and innovative formulations to the table.
Have you ever thought you prepared the perfect application, but gotten less-than-perfect results? As the largest component of a spray tank mix, water can significantly impact application quality with hardness, pH differences, or dirtiness. Water conditioners can help to mitigate these issues.
Oil and water might not mix alone, but with the right emulsifier, they can be combined into a stable emulsion. The fascinating science behind emulsion stability reveals how adding the right emulsifier to a pesticide tank mix can ensure a uniform and consistent application.
Listen in as Brad DeBels, a prominent figure in the turf industry and the President of the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, discusses current turf challenges, provides insight on the increasing value of turf, and shares his perspectives on the future of the green industry.
Crop dusters and spray drones are taking flight, but is what’s in the tank enough to take on this year’s disease pressure? A strong fungicide or insecticide application can make or break a successful cropping season, but the optimum tank mix is incomplete without the right adjuvants.
This site uses cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation, monitor site usage, and web traffic, assist with our marketing efforts, customize and improve our services and websites, as set out in our Privacy Notice.