Corn prices have been climbing recently, even as dry weather is making it harder for farmers in the U.S. to harvest their crops. This rise in corn value comes amid concerns that dryness, especially in parts of the western Corn Belt like Nebraska and the Dakotas, could slow down or reduce crop yields.
Earlier this year, planting started off well thanks to dry soil conditions that allowed farmers to get into their fields early. However, some wet spells temporarily interrupted progress. Despite these challenges, most farmers managed to plant their corn by mid-May and even faced issues like soil crusting that made it tough for young plants to emerge. In some cases, they replanted or used special equipment to break up hardened soil surfaces.
While spring rains helped ease drought conditions in places such as Iowa, dryness remains a worry further west where forecasts predict hotter and drier weather through July and August. This kind of weather can stress crops during critical growth stages and make harvesting more difficult.
Interestingly, U.S. corn acreage has increased by about 5% this year compared to last year’s planting season as farmers shifted away from soybeans slightly due to market signals and growing conditions. More acres planted means there is potential for a larger supply if weather cooperates.
Still, with nearly a fifth of corn-growing areas experiencing some level of drought stress—though none at the most severe levels—the outlook depends heavily on upcoming rainfall patterns and temperatures over summer months.
The combination of these factors—expanded acreage but challenging dry conditions—has created uncertainty around how much corn will be harvested on time and at what quality level. Traders are responding by pushing prices higher amid fears that supply might tighten if dryness worsens or harvest delays grow longer.
Farmers are adapting by monitoring moisture closely and adjusting management practices where possible but remain cautious about what lies ahead given the unpredictable nature of summer weather across key growing regions in the U.S.