Illinois State Water Survey Illinois State Climatologist

Are Modern Corn Hybrids Less Vulnerable to Drought?

It is often repeated that the modern corn hybrids are less vulnerable to drought. Is it true? Well, yes and no. Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois agronomist, has put together an analysis of corn yields between 1988 and 2012 in Illinois. In his own words, here is what Emerson found: “To look at how much yield […]

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Drought Impacts in Illinois

I took some photos on my way back from a Drought Response Task Force meeting in Springfield on August 9. Here are two of the most interesting. The first photo is a farm pond near the Interstate between Decatur and Champaign. Obviously, it is in bad shape. The second photo shows the “firing” of corn […]

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