By Elwynn Taylor, Department of Agronomy
The La Nina of the past several months as determined by the 90-day average Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) has ended. The SOI is a measure of the atmospheric pressure deviation from normal and directly influences meteorological conditions in numerous distant locations. The SOI diminished to 0.8 standard deviations on May 19, 2008.
Although now in “neutral” condition, there is normally a time lag and risk associated with the La Nina though clearly reduced does not fully disappear at least for several weeks (often about 6 weeks). A significant number of (but by no means all) severe droughts in the Midwest are associated with La Nina.
Planting under less-than-favorable conditions tends to exacerbate the impact of subsequent hot and dry weather. Drought in the southeastern U.S. is often a precursor to development of drought in the Corn Belt. The adverse factors do not make widespread drought likely for 2008 but below trend crop yields are and remain likely.
I will make my next computation of “most likely yield” during early June. At this time it appears that the previously estimated most likely yield of 142 bushels per acre for U.S. corn will be increase somewhat.
Elwynn Taylor is a professor with responsibilities for developing and implementing extension education and information programs in agricultural climatology.
This article was published originally on 5/23/2008 The information contained within the article may or may not be up to date depending on when you are accessing the information.
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