July 02, 2019

Intense Rainfall And Crops

Listen Later

2 minutes

The warming of the planet does not necessarily imply local weather will be warmer or drier than average. While heatwaves and droughts are increasingly common events in many places, so are intense rain events.

A new study led by scientists at the University of Illinois has found

that intense rainfall is as damaging to the U.S. agricultural sector as

heatwaves and excessive droughts.

The study examined more than three decades of crop insurance, climate,

soil, and corn yield data. Researchers

found that since 1981, corn yields in the U.S. Midwest were reduced by as much

as 34% during years with excessive rainfall.

Years with drought and heatwaves experienced yield losses of up to 37%.

Intense rain events can physically damage crops, delay planting and

harvesting, restrict root growth, and cause oxygen deficiency and nutrient

loss. The study estimated that between

1989 and 2016, excessive rainfall caused $10 billion in agricultural losses. However,

excessive rainfall can have either negative or positive impact on crop yield

and the effects can vary regionally.

Parts of the Midwest have already experienced a 42% increase in the

heaviest precipitation events since 1958.

Climate change models predict that much of this region will experience

even more frequent and intense precipitation events in the coming decade.

According to the study, excessive rainfall is the major cause of crop

damage currently in the U.S. for corn, and also has broad impacts for other

staple crops such as soybeans and wheat. The authors suggest that as rainfall

becomes more extreme, reforms will be needed in the U.S. crop insurance

industry in order to better meet planting challenges faced by farmers.

**********

Web Links

Intense Rainfall Is As Damaging to Crops As Heatwaves and Drought, and Climate Change Is Making It Worse

Photo, posted October 2, 2013, courtesy of the United Soybean Board via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

...more

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Earth Wise

By Randy Simon

4.7

1515 ratings

July 02, 2019

Intense Rainfall And Crops

Listen Later

2 minutes

The warming of the planet does not necessarily imply local weather will be warmer or drier than average. While heatwaves and droughts are increasingly common events in many places, so are intense rain events.

A new study led by scientists at the University of Illinois has found

that intense rainfall is as damaging to the U.S. agricultural sector as

heatwaves and excessive droughts.

The study examined more than three decades of crop insurance, climate,

soil, and corn yield data. Researchers

found that since 1981, corn yields in the U.S. Midwest were reduced by as much

as 34% during years with excessive rainfall.

Years with drought and heatwaves experienced yield losses of up to 37%.

Intense rain events can physically damage crops, delay planting and

harvesting, restrict root growth, and cause oxygen deficiency and nutrient

loss. The study estimated that between

1989 and 2016, excessive rainfall caused $10 billion in agricultural losses. However,

excessive rainfall can have either negative or positive impact on crop yield

and the effects can vary regionally.

Parts of the Midwest have already experienced a 42% increase in the

heaviest precipitation events since 1958.

Climate change models predict that much of this region will experience

even more frequent and intense precipitation events in the coming decade.

According to the study, excessive rainfall is the major cause of crop

damage currently in the U.S. for corn, and also has broad impacts for other

staple crops such as soybeans and wheat. The authors suggest that as rainfall

becomes more extreme, reforms will be needed in the U.S. crop insurance

industry in order to better meet planting challenges faced by farmers.

**********

Web Links

Intense Rainfall Is As Damaging to Crops As Heatwaves and Drought, and Climate Change Is Making It Worse

Photo, posted October 2, 2013, courtesy of the United Soybean Board via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

...more