Corn yield has been much more variable during the past 5 years than was the case in the previous 5 years. Even so, the corn yield has averaged above the long-term national trend line over the past 4 years.

Drought Conditions?

A similar run of above-trend years occurred in 1984 to 1987, with a major drought occurring at each end of this time span. On average, a new record corn yield is achieved every 4 or 5 years. While improved genetics and management get credit for the consistent improvement, changing weather conditions lead to somewhat erratic yields over a period of years.

There’s no doubt that weather is the major uncontrollable risk factor in agriculture. While the weather is not controllable, the risk is manageable. Widespread drought in the Corn Belt is occasional, the most recent having occurred in 1988. Even the 1988 drought did not decimate crops grown in the western Corn Belt, but it reduced yields by 30 percent over much of the central and eastern portion of the Corn Belt.

Serious drought tends to follow a 19-year cycle, and unfortunately, the next 4 years fall into the higher risk portion of this cycle. Even though there are some indications of increased corn production risk, global weather trends appear to favor a good start for the 2007 crop season.

Attention to soil condition has benefited no-tilled crops during the past few years and will remain important this year

Indicators For 2007.

The 2005 corn crop proved to be…