The Soybean season is well underway and the weather has not yet had any dramatic impacts on soybean yields.   According to Statistica, Iowais the #2 producing soybean state in the United States.   Keeping track of soybeans yield in Iowa is important to understanding US soybean production in 2018.

Weather conditions during the growing season are an important driver of year to year changes in soybean yield.   One way of comparing the impact of weather is to compare current yield forecasts relative to the technology trend.  The map below shows the CropProphet soybean yield forecast for Iowa as compared to the technology trend.  It shows that, in general, much of the state is currently forecast to have well above above trend soybean yields.  Virtually all counties show above trend forecasts.

The weather can change and have important impacts on Illinois soybean production estimates because of it’s impact on yields.   The two week weather forecast for Iowa has a 1.0 bu/acre impact on Iowa soybean yields.

As of the end of the May, Iowa soybean yields are on track for a decent year.  The critical growth months still remain, however, and there could be substantial changes to this outlook.

Avoid the Hype. Get the Facts.  Use CropProphet for your Grains Market Intelligence.