More in The 2012 Drought

Sep. 17, 2012

Article

Managing short feed supplies after the drought

Because most of the states hit by the 2012 drought were in the corn-producing areas of the country, serious feed shortages will occur for most livestock operations this winter. Yet, in spite of this ominous forecast, beef cattle producers likely will rely on the ability of their cattle to adapt to a variety of diets and ingredients. However, feeding strategies must be reviewed before considering use of drought-stricken crops and forages....More
Sep. 13, 2012

Article

Farmers on the lookout for aflatoxin as drought continues

The fungus, which infects corn ears through the silks or wounds, produces aflatoxin, a toxic carcinogen that also can cause health problems for livestock that consume contaminated corn. ...More
Sep. 6, 2012

Article

2012 Drought prompts seed companies to test new drought hybrids

If there was ever a good year for drought-tolerant corn research, this year was it. In July, more of the United States suffered moderate or severe drought than at any other time in the 12-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The effects were certainly felt across the Corn Belt, especially in Indiana, which had its driest year since 1988. However, seed developers are working on hybrids to help growers deal with these conditions....More
Aug. 31, 2012

Article

As corn and soybean plants suffer, crop insurance covers much of yield shortfall

The 2012 drought will be one for the record books. Its high temperatures and lack of rain put it among the 10 worst droughts in U.S. history, and the Corn Belt is stuck in the middle of it. The corn crop is expected to be 13% smaller than last year’s crop, according to USDA. Insured crop...More
Aug. 31, 2012

video

Handling herbicide carryover and fertilizer issues after drought

The 2012 drought may cause some issues with herbicide carryover in the 2013 crop, according to Brent Wilson, technical services manager, DuPont Pioneer. In addition, growers will need to evaluate fertilizer applications....More
Aug. 27, 2012

Article

Managing after drought

The corn crop rating in Illinois stays in the low single digits. As the season winds down on one of the most drought-reduced corn crops in Illinois history, a number of factors are at play that will affect crop management for the coming year. ...More
Aug. 27, 2012

Article

Combine adjustments for harvesting drought-stricken soybeans  

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Aug. 16, 2012

Article

Drought and the Illinois corn crop: Comparing 1988 and 2012 1

Many producers are wondering whether the development of genetically modified hybrids and the improvement in hybrid yield potential and stress tolerance has made the corn crop more “drought-proof” now than it was in 1988. Emerson Nafziger, a professor of crop sciences at the University of Illinois, said that as the drought worsened over the past weeks, he was regularly asked how this year’s yields are likely to be affected and how they will compare with the yields after the 1988 drought. ...More
Aug. 16, 2012

Article

USDA announces low-interest emergency loans for producers in 172 additional drought-stricken counties

As part of continuing steps by the Obama Administration to get assistance to producers impacted by the drought, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today designated 172 additional counties in 15 states as primary natural disaster areas due to drought and heat, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans. To date, USDA has designated 1,792 counties as disaster areas—1,670 due to drought....More
Aug. 14, 2012

video

Farm Industry News

Beck's Hybrids is confident of seed supply during drought

Beck's Hybrids reports the company planted 150% of anticipated seed needs in 2012. In addition, the seed was planted over a period of time and in different geographies. As a result, Beck's expects to meet their customers' needs for seed corn in 2013, according to Ashley Woodward Fischer of Beck's....More
Aug. 14, 2012

video

Farm Industry News

Mycogen optimistic about 2013 seed supply even with drought 2

The drought has hampered seed corn production and most supplies will be tight. Mycogen Seeds prepared for adverse weather events by spreading out production, according to Eric Sitzman, corn product manager. As a result, Mycogen with Dow AgroSciences expects to meet most of its 2013 customer needs....More
Aug. 14, 2012

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Farm Industry News

Kinze provides planting solutions to help growers move past drought

Kinze's Phil Jennings says the company is ready to help growers look through this fall and into next spring for a successful planting season....More
Aug. 14, 2012

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Farm Industry News

Monsanto increases seed financing options, nonprofit contributions due to drought

Due to the drought, Monsanto has added more pre-pay and financing options for its seed customers, according to Danielle Stuart, public affairs. The company also is doubling its contributions to the America's Farmers Grow program for drought-declared areas. The increased money will help agricultural-related nonprofit organizations weather tight economic times....More
Aug. 13, 2012

Video

Farm Industry News

This was right year to buy total weather insurance from Climate Corporation 5

Offering total weather insurance for corn and soybean production, the Climate Corporation reports a high number of insurance payouts were triggered in some areas for the drought conditions, according to Jeff Hamlin, director of agronomic research....More
Aug. 10, 2012

Video

Farm Industry News

Processing started for crop insurance claims on drought-damaged corn

Crop insurance claims for drought damage are being processed by the National Crop Insurance Services, according to Laurie Langstraat, director of public relations. If this drought is similar to the drought of 1988, then losses may amount to $20 billion to $25 billion....More
Aug. 10, 2012

Video

Farm Industry News

Agricultural companies respond to drought impact 1

Beck's Hybrids, Monsanto and Kinze discuss how the companies are handling drought issues with their customers and business....More
Aug. 10, 2012

Article

Iowa corn growers weigh in on USDA crop report, ethanol question

Corn grower leaders in Iowa found no major surprises in USDA’s Aug. 10th estimates for the 2012 corn and soybean crops. “I’m not real surprised by the numbers,” reported Kevin Ross, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) president. “We are still over a 10 billion bu. crop, which is above some early 2000 crop numbers. There is definitely still a lot of corn.”...More
Aug. 9, 2012

Article

Check cornfields for Aspergillus ear rot

With high temperatures and dry conditions prevailing during the corn grain-fill period this season, the risk of Aspergillus ear rot is high, said Carl Bradley, University of Illinois plant pathologist. Aspergillus ear rot, caused by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, is observed as a yellowish-green mold growing on corn kernels. Areas within fields that have insect- and bird-damaged ears are particularly vulnerable to the rot. ...More
Aug. 9, 2012

Article

Rot disease in soybeans

In the central part of the state, the soybeans that have so far survived the extreme temperatures and drought are now showing symptoms of charcoal rot. Plant Diagnostic Clinic and IPM coordinator Suzanne Bissonnette said that, in the past 2 weeks, the University of Illinois Plant Clinic (http://web.extension.illinois.edu/plantclinic/) has diagnosed the disease in several samples. ...More
Aug. 6, 2012

Article

Beef production strategies during the drought

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Aug. 6, 2012

Article

Monsanto announces plan to support farmers affected by drought 1

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Aug. 2, 2012

Article

Drought-stressed corn as livestock feed: Frequently asked questions

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Jul. 31, 2012

Article

Drought-stressed corn for silage considerations

With farmers across the country battling an abnormally dry growing season, DuPont Pioneer continues to share and develop resources to help farmers find the best solution for their farm to manage their drought-stressed crop....More
Jul. 31, 2012

blog

My U.S. corn yield prediction: 120 bu./acre

As mentioned a couple weeks ago, what is being reported in the media is probably worse than the reality of the drought and its effect on the U.S. corn crop. There will be corn fields in west central Illinois that yield 175 bu./acre. And there will be many fields yielding less than 50 bu./acre....More
Jul. 30, 2012

Article

Using drought-stressed corn for forage

Drought conditions continue to intensify in areas across the state. According to the July 24, 2012, U.S. Drought Monitor report, the southwest corner of Minnesota is now rated in the "Severe" drought category. The western half and southern counties of the state are rated "Abnormally Dry" or in "Moderate" to "Severe" drought. In areas hardest hit by the drought, growers are assessing grain yield potential and considering if and when they should harvest drought-stressed corn for forage....More