Rising Dew Points and the Challenge for Nebraska Farmers
As the climate continues to shift, Nebraska and much of the Midwest are experiencing not only warmer nighttime temperatures but also a slight increase in dew points. This change, highlighted by Eric Hunt, an agricultural meteorologist, points to a broader trend affecting the region.
Eric Hunt, speaking at a recent drought outlook update at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, noted, “We are about one to two [degrees] Celsius above the second half of the 20th Century in terms of dew point. As this planet warms, it could hold more water vapor with warmer Gulf temperatures. We are basically seeing the effect of that east of the Rockies.”
While more moisture might initially seem advantageous, it carries potential downsides, notably creating favorable conditions for diseases that can impact crop yields.
Hunt explained, “I think one of the reasons we have been dealing with more issues with these fungal diseases is probably, flatly because we’re getting more humid here in the summer.”
Tar spot, a fungal disease that has recently emerged as a concern, has already made its presence known in Nebraska since 2021. Extension Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems elaborated on the severity of the issue, stating, “The fungus has only moved into Nebraska in about 2021. It can be very bad when you know you have very favorable weather conditions, and on hybrids – some of them will be more sensitive than others. In the worst-case scenarios, they have documented 50-bushel yield loss. So, imagine 50 bushels less when you were expecting 150 to 200, and so it can have a big, big impact.”
This disease manifests on corn leaves, and significant infection can cover large leaf areas, severely affecting the plant’s grain-filling capability, according to Jackson-Ziems.
Jackson-Ziems also highlighted the economic implications for farmers, mentioning, “So the ultimate cost of that is that farmers don’t get as much corn, or the total overall yield that they get is less – means their income is less, and that’s what we’re trying to prevent.”
