AccuWeather predicts smaller corn and soybean yields in 2019 as wet weather persists
Swaths of flattened corn crops near Waupun, Wisconsin, following severe thunderstorms. (Photo/AccuWeather Video Journalist Blake Naftel)
Corn and soybean planting data showed a slight improvement in Monday's U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Crop Progress compared to last week's report, but planting still remains behind schedule in 17 of 18 key states for both corn and soybean compared to their 2014-2018 averages.
AccuWeather predicts corn and soybean yields will be below the latest USDA estimates for the season as wet weather persists throughout key corn- and soybean-producing states.
The corn crop was projected at 15 billion bushels, up from last year's crop of 14.3 billion bushels, according to the USDA. However, AccuWeather meteorologists estimate the 2019 corn crop will yield 14.2 billion bushels, which is slightly below last year's yield.
Similarly, the USDA estimated the soybean crop to yield 4.15 billion bushels in a May 10 report, following a 2018 season that saw a record 4.54 billion bushels.
AccuWeather, however, estimates the 2019 soybean crop will be 4.10 billion bushels, which is below the USDA estimate. The continued wet weather has led to delays in planting corn and soybean, the two main crops for Midwestern farmers.
RELATED
4 dead after severe weather outbreak unleashes nearly 60 tornadoes, forces dozens of water rescues
Late-season snow snarls travel in Colorado
Tornadoes to spin up again on Tuesday as severe weather outbreak continues to unfold across the central US
Rounds of heavy rain to threaten parts of central US with river flooding, travel disruptions
Corn planting as of May 20 in 18 key U.S. states is off 38.75% compared to the five-year average according to the Crop Progress; by now, 80% of corn in those key states is normally planted, but this week's report shows that only 49% is planted.
Soybean planting is off 59.5% of its five-year average with just 19 percent of soybeans planted in the 18 key states, compared to a normal of 47% by May 20.
More wet weather is expected in the Midwest today into Wednesday, including flooding downpours, hail and possible tornadoes, as well as this weekend. "That will raise some concerns for getting the crops in on time," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Jason Nicholls. "The biggest problem areas are Nebraska, Minnesota and the Dakotas."
More Weather News
-
Tropics heating up as West Pacific is on alert for potential development this week
Weather News - June 18, 2019, 8:10:08 AM EDT
Satellite images show things are relatively quiet now, but a cluster of showers and thunderstorms is expected to grow and eventually develop into a tropical system.
-
Feisty storms to rumble through southern Appalachians, mid-Atlantic Tuesday
Weather News - June 18, 2019, 8:45:12 AM EDT
Tuesday will bring another round of damaging thunderstorms across the southern Appalachians and lower mid-Atlantic.
-
Latest crop report shows some good news for soybean farmers
Weather News - June 18, 2019, 9:10:44 AM EDT
Soybean planting looks promising for the rest of June, according to an AccuWeather analysis.
-
Rounds of severe storms, flash flooding to culminate with tornado threat in central US
Weather News - June 18, 2019, 7:34:24 AM EDT
Following clusters of severe thunderstorms that will unleash localized flooding through Tuesday, a more widespread severe weather episode that may unleash tornadoes is likely on Wednesday in part of the central United States.
-
Vayu to unleash drenching downpours in northwest India as brief heat relief visits Pakistan
Weather News - June 17, 2019, 11:01:49 AM EDT
The western Indian state of Gujarat avoided a direct hit from former Tropical Cyclone Vayu; however, the region will still be at risk for flash flooding into Tuesday.
-
Big cooldown to end lengthy warm spell in Pacific Northwest later this week
Weather News - June 18, 2019, 1:47:47 AM EDT
After record-breaking heat baked the Pacific Northwest last week, a large-scale shift in the weather pattern will bring big changes to the region later this week.
-
'Yesterday's environmental crisis in the 1950s through 1970s remains today's problem'
Weather News - June 17, 2019, 8:29:01 AM EDT
Scientists collected sediment samples from the bottoms of five remote lakes, and what they discovered wasn't exactly unexpected but is very concerning.
-
Severe storms to threaten Philadelphia to Washington, DC
Weather News - June 17, 2019, 10:18:34 PM EDT
Thunderstorms will pulse and become locally severe from the central Appalachians to the mid-Atlantic coast into Monday night.
TRENDING NOW
Rounds of severe storms, flash flooding to culminate with tornado threat in central US
Following clusters of severe thunderstorms that will unleash localized flooding through Tuesday, a more widespread severe weather episode that may unleash tornadoes is likely on Wednesday in part of the central United States.
Read Story
Tropics heating up as West Pacific is on alert for potential development this week
Satellite images show things are relatively quiet now, but a cluster of showers and thunderstorms is expected to grow and eventually develop into a tropical system.
Read Story
Meteor 'smoke' may spawn cotton candy clouds on Mars
Thin Martian clouds may come from mere specks of dust, the remains of destroyed meteors.
Read Story
Comments
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.