Unexpected, unusual, unpredictable. Any of these words could have described Iowa’s extreme 2018 weather. If past weather patterns are any indication, more volatility may define 2019, as well.

“History shows a trend towards 25 years of volatile weather and yields, followed by 17 to 18 years of fairly consistent yields,” said Dr. Elwynn Taylor, Extension climatologist at Iowa State University. “We completed the years of consistency with the 2012 drought, meaning we’re moving into the 25-year cycle of volatility.”

No one experienced this more...