Our partners at Commodity Weather Group released a report recently that projects dates at which the corn crop will reach 50% pollination. Commodity Weather Group’s report is based on planting dates, accumulated growing degree days, also factoring in current 15- and 30-day weather forecasts.
The report shows the bulk of the nation’s corn crop, basically anywhere north of Interstate 80, will be pollinated in the next two weeks between July 15th and July 30th, and the bulk of that will happen between the 20th and 30th. This is always a tradeoff. Good planting weather in the spring means that the bulk of the crops around the country, including this area, will pollinate at the same time.
Hot, dry weather before, during, or after can certainly push December futures to new highs. This is the bottom-line report. A strong El Nino pattern could break up dry weather patterns, rain in late July.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.