Iowa has experienced three consecutive growing seasons with lower rainfall.  It is anticipated that the 2024 crop will soon be planted given current dry conditions.  The record 2023 crop was based on adequate sub-soil moisture and conveniently timed rains.  At the present time, approximately 20 percent of the corn and soybean acreage in the State is classified as in extreme drought compared to less than five percent at the commencement of the planting season in 2023. 

There is an 80 percent of the current El Nino transitioning to ENSO neutral by late spring with a 60 percent probability of the emergence of a La Nina event during late summer that will affect yields.