The latest USDA Crop Production Report shows the lowest Missouri corn yield in seven years.
Missouri is among the top ten states in corn crop production.
Dr. Michael Aide is the chairperson for Southeast Missouri State University’s Agriculture department. He says last summer’s drought “devastated” key areas of corn production.
“I think both Missouri and Illinois have had substantial yield reductions due to the drought in their corn crop,” Aide said. “Iowa, Nebraska, have also had some yield reduction, but not to the extent that Missouri and Illinois have.”
In 2012 Missouri farmers planted nearly 300,000 more acres of corn in anticipation of high market demands. He says these extra acres helped maintain Missouri among the highest corn producers in the country.
However, Aide says the damaging effects of the drought on local corn crops cannot be ignored.
“The effects of the drought are really two-fold. One is the lack of moisture and it’s also the heat. Both independently take a toll on corn yield, but if you have high heat prior to pollination, coupled with drought, you just don’t have seed development in the year,” Aide said.
According to the USDA Crop Production report, Missouri’s cotton and rice crops remained relatively high despite the drought. Aide says this can be attributed to consistent irrigation, something more farmers may be considering.
The drought also took a heavy toll on Missouri’s soybean production. Aide says soybeans have a later harvest time than corn, so the September rains should provide a “reasonable” yield.
