The 2023 cropping season is well underway, with impacts of weather and climate change already impacting crops.  Dry, hot weather in key Corn Belt areas has rapidly changed conditions.

An entrenched atmospheric blocking pattern accelerated the loss of topsoil moisture in the Midwest over the past two weeks. Corn Belt crops have rapidly declined as a result.  Just 46% of corn crops in Michigan and Missouri were rated good to excellent.   Soybean conditions are similar in Missouri; in Michigan only 40% of soybeans were rated ‘good to excellent’ on June 4.

Central Plains Drought Exceptional, Elsewhere Moderate to Extreme

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