Weather outlook points to warm spring, trend-line yields, Taylor says

Developing El Nino conditions in the Pacific Ocean suggest a favorable growing season for Iowa farmers this year, Iowa State Extension Climatologist Elwynn Taylor said last week.

It’s too early to select exact matches, or "analog years," for conditions similar to this year, but early indicators point to good chances for high yields in Iowa and the western Corn Belt.

"The winter (conditions) don’t necessarily tell us very much...