Fundamentally Speaking

The June weather data is in from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and it appears that July will start off with similar moisture conditions seen the prior month with precipitation limited in areas of the Plains and Western Corn Belt with the Eastern Corn Belt and Delta seeing more ample rainfall.

This graphic shows the June 2017 precipitation in inches for the top 18 corn states, that figure as a percent of the 1950-2016 average and where June 2017 ranks as far as June precipitation from 1950 to 2017 with 1 being the wettest June since 1950 and 68 being the driest June since 1950.

It is well known now that the Dakotas are in a major drought and we see that North Dakota's precipitation last month was 2.03 inches, 60% of their 1950-2016 average with their rank at 62 while South Dakota had 2.09 inches of rain in June, 61% of their average and their rank was 58 or the 10th driest June since 1950.

Nebraska is another state under the gun and no surprise with June rainfall a mere 1.44 inches which is just 39% of their average as last month was the driest June ever from 1950 and the second driest ever going back to 1895.

Other states that had well below normal June rainfall included Colorado at 49%, Iowa at 71% and Illinois at 72%.

On the other hand, more northern and eastern states had ample moisture including Michigan and Wisconsin at 138% of their average.

With the latest forecasts calling for above normal temperatures this heat will exacerbate the dry soil conditions for corn which this month goes through its critical pollination phase when water requirements are the highest.

(KA)