2022 U.S. Corn 7% Harvested With Highly Variable Yields

The 2022 U.S. corn condition declined 1% to 52% rated good/excellent. The corn is 87% dented compared to 92% last year and 88% average. The corn is 40% mature compared to 54% last year and 45% average and the corn is 7% harvested compared to 9% last year and 8% average.

Rainfall last week was generally confined to central Nebraska and parts of the northwestern and eastern Corn Belt. Over the weekend, the heavier rainfall amounts were generally recorded in southern Iowa, western Illinois, and northern Missouri. Recent temperatures have been above normal and they are expected to decline as the week progresses.

Elevated temperatures at this time of the year are a “double edged sword” for corn. On one hand, the high temperatures aids the drydown of the corn which saves on drying costs and lowers the frost risk for corn. On the other hand, a quick drydown of corn usually results in lower-than-expected corn yields by shorting the grain filling period.

Early corn yield reports are highly variable as expected given the high temperatures in July and the erratic nature of the rains this summer. That is the main reason why I lowered the corn yield 1.0 bu/ac this week to 169.0 bu/ac. Ideally, you would like to see the grain filling period extend as long as possible, but that does not seem likely this year. Elevated temperatures and dry conditions generally cause a quick shut down of the corn crop.

Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.

Tags: crop, U.S., drydown, harvest, corn, condition, yields