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The timing of the rain will matter this year

With a La Niña in place, precipitation could be sparse throughout much of the Corn Belt.  

CattleFax meteorologist Matt Makens tells Brownfield, “Whether it be early May, mid-May, late may, early June, whenever you need that water, it’s got to be well timed because odds are against a super wet outlook.”

Looking at the remainder of winter, he says Iowa will remain drier than average. “But, the March, April may time frame, the water perspective actually improves by that point,” he says.  “I think for Iowa in particular, right around that timeline, when they’re starting to get the work done, there will be some moisture.”

He says the Eastern Corn Belt is in the best position for moisture — but it won’t last all season long. “There’s going to be a bit of a shutoff period for someone in that region,” he says.  “Whether it be Ohio or Indiana, somebody right there is going to see a bullseye of drought growing again by that pollination time frame.”

AUDIO: Matt Makens, CattleFax