Page 10 2026 Fall Farm Outlook Lincoln Daily News Oct 2026 Extreme Heat and its Agricultural Impact This past summer was extremely warm. There were long stretches of heat, with some of the months matching or beating previous heat records. July of ‘26 matched July of ‘24 for being the hottest July on record. August beat all previous years, setting itself as the warmest August ever recorded. Like July, September was the second hottest one on record, with only September of ‘23 beating it. These numbers come from the National Centers for Environmental Information’s Climate (NCEIC) at a Glance tool. The NCEIC started tracking and recording temperature data back in 1895. This warm weather does not seem to be letting up soon. According to a report from the World Meteorological Organization’s UK office, average temperatures for the Earth are expected to continue to climb into 2030. The report states “it is likely (86% chance) that one year between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record.” The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also predicts warmer weather, with their Extreme Heat article reading “The United States is expected to continue to warm faster than other parts of the world.” In addition to days being warmer, the EPA also predicts that the number of warm days is going to go up. With this extended window of heat each year, what impact might it have on the farmers and crops of Logan County? What about wider United States agriculture? Corn and soybeans are the top two crops grown in our county. Neither crop does particularly well if the weather is too warm. Starting with corn, the plant does something known as ‘leaf rolling’ if temperatures get too high. This is a defense mechanism to preserve water. Iowa State University’s extension office has an informative article on corn pollination and the effect that high temperatures and stress have on the plant. The article explains the process of corn fertilization and how higher than average temperatures can threaten that. According to the article, silks must grow and be fertilized by pollen in order for kernels to develop. Temperatures above 95℉ with low humidity can dry out silks, but they will continue to grow. Normally, pollen shed will happen during the morning hours before temperatures can get above 95℉. Additional stresses such as low soil fertility or insufficient water can delay silking. If pollen is no longer available, this can cause a serious problem for corn.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzExODA=