Extreme heat across portions of the Corn Belt is raising concerns about late-season stress on corn and soybeans. Heat warnings stretch from Iowa and Kansas through Illinois and toward Ohio, with heat indexes in some areas reaching 105 to 110 degrees. And the timing could matter for final yields. USDA recently reported only 13 percent of the nation's corn had reached maturity, while 13 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves. That leaves portions of both crops vulnerable to additional stress.

The greatest concern may be soybeans that are still filling pods. Prolonged heat can also accelerate corn maturity and shorten the grain-filling period. Livestock producers are dealing with their own challenges, including heat stress, increased water consumption and potentially reduced weight gains. Grain traders are now weighing the approaching harvest against the possibility that September heat could trim final U.S. corn and soybean yields.

By: NATHAN STUEDLEExtreme heat across portions of the Corn Belt is raising concerns about late-season stress on corn and soybeans. Heat warnings stretch from Iowa and Kansas through Illinois and toward Ohio, with heat indexes in some areas reaching 105 to 110 degrees. And the timing could matter for final yields. USDA recently reported only 13 percent of the nation's corn had reached maturity, while 13 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves. That leaves portions of both crops vulnerable to additional stress.The greatest concern may be soybeans that are still filling pods. Prolonged heat can also accelerate corn maturity and shorten the grain-filling period. Livestock producers are dealing with their own challenges, including heat stress, increased water consumption and potentially reduced weight gains. Grain traders are now weighing the approaching harvest against the possibility that September heat could trim final U.S. corn and soybean yields.

Midwest heat threatens late-season crops