As the featured guest on the ag media staple Market to Market podcast in early July, Nebraska Extension meteorologist Eric Hunt broke down what this season’s wild weather means for Nebraska crops heading into pollination.
In a conversation with host Paul Yeager, Hunt discussed the impacts of sustained high winds and heat on evapotranspiration and soil moisture loss — with some Nebraska sites losing 1.5 to 2 inches in just three days. Fortunately, timely rains have helped recharge profiles in many areas, creating a promising pollination window, especially for early-planted crops.
Hunt also highlighted early signs of disease pressure, including tar spot and bacterial issues, and encouraged growers to use Nebraska’s Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic for accurate pathogen ID. He explained the meteorological forces behind the recent patterns and flagged concerns for late July, including potential heat stress during pollination in later-planted fields. Looking ahead to August, Hunt expressed cautious optimism for cooler temperatures but warned that warm nights and high humidity could accelerate crop development and increase disease risk.
Market to Market is an Iowa PBS podcast dedicated to delivering expert analyses of major commodity markets and insight into trends and strategies to producers.
