Fundamentally Speaking

July 2014 Precipitation in Top Corn States

Joel Karlin
By  Joel Karlin , DTN Contributing Analyst

Similar to a piece we did on July temperatures, this graphic shows July 2014 precipitation in inches for the top 18 corn producing states for July 2014, how each states rain totals were as a percent of the 1950-2013 average and the percentile rank of July 2014 precipitation using the 1950-2014 range.

While last month was one of the coolest ever in much of the Corn Belt, moisture was also lighter than normal.

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The chart shows that only four states CO, MI, PA, and TX had at least normal July rains while seven states had July precipitation less than two-thirds of normal led by NE at 51.7% and SD at 40.5%.

With the USDA projecting a record national corn yield and this week's Pro-Farmer crop tour confirming the presence of an outstanding crop in many of these states, it appear that the less than normal rainfall last month did not adversely impact plant development.

One reason for that was the cool temperatures that aided reproduction and helped conserve moisture supplies.

A second point is that while rains were light in many areas, a large number of the states had more than ample subsoil moisture reserves to help carry the crops along.

Looking at additional weather data for July, with the exception of Kansas all of the other states that had less than two-third of normal rains had positive Palmer Drought Severity Index readings with the Dakotas, MN, and WI having plenty of moisture in the ground due to the heavy spring rains.

Though more work is needed it appears that a good corn crop can be had even with less than moral July rains as long as temperatures are cool and adequate subsoil moisture exists.

(KA)

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Raymond Simpkins
8/26/2014 | 10:34 AM CDT
I have to agree.Don't know what part of Michigan you looked at, but we are 4.25 in. below normal and no rain in July.Creeks have been dry since June, last good rain we had was June 25th. Tell me why pro farmer crop tour followed the same path across cornbelt as the rain did?
andrew mohlman
8/22/2014 | 8:30 AM CDT
looking at brown leaves and barren stalks I can tell you for sure it is a fact you are totally wrong. Same old song and dance how great the corn is gets old. crop tour just as well been done from there desk. consumers should pay for cost of production not gov uncle sam will never get out of hole. media must be in market