A number of farmers are asking some pretty difficult questions on the value of drought-damaged corn for various uses, including as feed and for soil protection. Previous data collected in Kansas on drought-affected corn used measurements of the plant stand, height, dry matter, and moisture content to estimate biomass production and nutrient uptake/value of the biomass.

In his latest blog entry, Clay Pope writes, "The crazy weather we have always had in the southern great plains really has been shot full of steroids. We must get ready as best we can for what lies ahead!"

>La Nina conditions are still persistent across the Equatorial Pacific and the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has placed the odds of this event continuing through this upcoming summer (June–August) at 59% and a 50-55% chance that these conditions will persist through this fall (September–October).

Ronnie Schnell, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist, Bryan-College Station, says actual planted sorghum acres could be above the USDA’s prospective survey report for a variety of reasons, most notably drought and high fertilizer prices.

As of April 19, the Nebraska Drought Monitor shows 96% of Nebraska in moderate to extreme drought. With planting being critical for everything else that happens during the growing season, the dry conditions have led to a variety of questions this planting season. In this article educators from the University of Nebraska work through the questions they've received.

Despite technological advances, weather factors still play a major role in crop production, especially precipitation. The current U.S. Drought Monitor shows more than two-thirds of South Dakota under abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. If this pattern continues, cropping decisions may need to be adjusted for upcoming growing season.