Eastern Corn Belt Needs Soaking Rains

[katrina]

Eastern Corn Belt Needs Soaking Rains
The critical season for corn production is occurring right now and into next month, but dry conditions will likely prevail in part of the Eastern Corn Belt during the next week or so, says Mike Palecki, regional climatologist, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC).

"There's definitely a need for a good, soaking rain in the Eastern Corn Belt in anticipation of the corn pollination season," he says. "The rains that arrived over the weekend have helped central Illinois, western Indiana and western Kentucky, which were all in need of precipitation, but more rain is still needed."

The corn in southern Indiana, southern Ohio and Kentucky has all been suffering, he emphasizes. Yet, the next chance for rain in the Eastern Corn Belt after Monday morning won't likely come until late this week, possibly on Thursday -- if at all, says Palecki.

Southern Ohio is especially in need for much more rain, agrees Jeff Rogers, state climatologist for Ohio. Rains that occurred in the state prior to and during the weekend "have temporarily alleviated some dry conditions, but haven't helped the situation much overall," says Rogers. "It looks like Indiana recently fared a little better than Ohio, but not enough to take care of the shortfall, and we're not expecting much in the way of rain this week."

The whole area from the Great Lakes to Kentucky could use a lot more precipitation, but only certain parts will likely receive rain in the next week to 10 days, says Palecki. "Some areas look like they will be missed," he adds.

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is also forecasting an expanded area of drought in southern Illinois and much of Indiana and Ohio. "So, a moderate drought stage may develop in those areas by the end of September," says Palecki.

In comparison, the only problems in the Western Corn Belt appear to be some flooding in the lowland areas. Palecki adds that there is also the possibility "for a little too much heat during the pollination period."

[nr]

So beef prices will go out the roof

[Big Muddy rancher]

[IL Rancher]

MOre likely if corn goes up in price feeder calves will take it in the shorts.. The cost that will drive beef and other food prices higher will be transportation costs.. .. The only thing that corn being expensive might do is keep a few pounds off the average carcras which could have some affect on the beef prices but that is something that I don't know enough about... Not nearly enough..