BUTLER COUNTY, Iowa (RFD News) — The Pro Farmer Crop Tour is entering its final day as scouts prepare to conclude their journey across more than 2,000 fields in the Corn Belt.
Oliver Sloup with Blue Line Futures joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report from the eastern leg of the tour for an update.
In his conversation with RFD News, Sloup said results remain below last year, but noted last year’s crop was exceptionally strong. Pro Farmer results for Iowa districts 1, 4 and 7 came in at 190.18 bushels per acre, down 3% from last year.
Illinois came in at 184.19 bushels per acre, down 7.7% from last year and about 7.5% below the five-year average.
Sloup said the results appear to support USDA’s recent yield reduction and could point to another decrease. He also noted less disease pressure in Iowa compared to last year, when southern rust was more prevalent.
Questions remain about potential crop damage as the industry works to control the pest.
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