All indications are an El Nino may be forming in the Pacific Ocean. Based on years similar to Pacific Ocean water temperatures from this past winter to present and what is expected, the years closest to these include 1963, 1968, 1979, 1982, 1986 and 1997. The results for crop yields for corn were 5% above trend line, soybeans 6% above trend line and wheat 5% below trend line which are not much different than the best 3 analog years to this past winter. The bottom line is the climate patterns suggest decent yields this year but not as good as 2013 or as bad as 2012 but still likely above trend like except for wheat.
Weather Update
May began cooler and wetter than normal as expected. The week of May 5 will start cool but then starting May 7 we will turn warmer than normal. Temperatures will reach into the 70s north and 80s south by Wednesday and Thursday. Outside of scattered light showers and a few thunderstorms, rainfall will be quite limited through Thursday which should allow ground work to resume this week.
As we reach May 9-12, rain chances will increase with a storm system yielding slightly above normal temperatures with above normal rainfall.
The 8-14-day temperature outlook can be found here:http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/814temp.new.gif
Crop Observation and Recommendation Network
C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.