Heavy rain leaves western Corn Belt fields soaked, threatening harvest delays and crop quality.
Heavy September Rain Threatens Corn and Soybean Harvest
Share
Heavy September rain soaked fields across eastern Nebraska, Iowa and southern Wisconsin, with some areas reporting more than 15 inches. Wet conditions could delay corn and soybean harvest as farmers wait for fields to dry and crop moisture to fall. Corn kernels sprouting on the ear are another concern. Peter Tubbs reports on the potential impact on the western Corn Belt harvest.
Transcript
This year, the western corn belt went from a damp summer to an extraordinarily wet September.
Multiple weather systems pounded eastern Nebraska, Iowa and southern Wisconsin during September, leaving wet fields and new precipitation records behind.
Areas of Iowa experienced their third wettest month ever, with the highest precipitation for a month since September of 1914. Rain totals for the month in excess of 15 inches were reported over a wide band across Nebraska and Iowa.
The National Weather Service began recording weather data in Des Moines in 1878. Iowa averages 35 inches of precipitation a year.
Harvesting of corn and soybeans may be delayed in the western corn belt to allow fields to dry out and crops to lower their moisture content. Corn kernels sprouting on the ear is a concern.
For Market to Market, I’m Peter Tubbs
Watch More
Rising diesel and freight costs squeeze farm margins and could reshape plans for the 2027 crop.
Trade frustration is muting the weather rally, according to Sue Martin in our Market Plus segment.
Wet fields threaten harvest delays, diesel raises farm costs and rural population growth is uneven.
Midwest population growth brings opportunities near cities, while remote farm towns lose residents.
Sue Martin examines grain stocks, harvest risks, soybean demand, energy costs and livestock markets.
Protein demand, genetics and component pricing are reshaping dairy economics — and creating new opportunities for producers.