North Dakota Ag Weather Network Director Daryl Ritchison is expecting drying conditions to continue across the Northern Plains this summer. “A lot of people don’t realize much of North America is drying off, even North Dakota. We’ve had severe thunderstorms and wet conditions lately, but about two-thirds of the state will finish June well below average, even in North Dakota. My summer forecast continues to be continued dryness. Will the soil moisture and additional rain, probably below average, be sufficient for the yields we want?” Dryness and heat are concerning for an already late crop. “I think the overall trend will be more areas than not probably wondering they wish more rain would happen this season. I’m also wondering if we go through the latter half of July into August and get more heat during corn pollination. That could affect yields, too.”
