# Scientists redefine drought in Corn Belt

> University of Illinois researchers argue that crop drought measures should weight atmospheric dryness (vapor-pressure deficit) as well as soil moisture. They say plants close their stomata in dry air even when soil moisture is adequate, which cuts photosynthesis and yield.

- Date: 2021-02-17 · published 2021-02-17T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: weather · region US Corn Belt · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/48479-scientists-redefine-drought-in-corn-belt
- Commodities: [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md), [Soybeans](https://feedsoft.ai/c/SOY.md)

## Why it matters

This is a research finding about how drought is measured and has no immediate effect on supply or prices. It may shape how future yield risk is modeled.

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CORN | 2024-08-23 | [Drought reduces corn yields in Brazil](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13551-drought-reduces-corn-yields-in-brazil.md) | +0.2% | +6.1% |
| CORN | 2022-02-18 | [Drought lingers over Corn Belt](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13386-drought-lingers-over-corn-belt.md) | +5.8% | +16.7% |
| CORN | 2018-04-17 | [A Costly Drought in Argentina - NASA Science](https://feedsoft.ai/events/65363-a-costly-drought-in-argentina-nasa-science.md) | -0.8% | +2.2% |
| CORN | 2023-07-31 | [Drought spreads in US Corn Belt ahead of July's scorching finish](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13260-drought-spreads-in-us-corn-belt-ahead-of-july-s-scorching-finish.md) | -11.7% | -13.2% |
| CORN | 2023-05-26 | [Drought in US Corn Belt reminiscent of both bad and good years](https://feedsoft.ai/events/5564-drought-in-us-corn-belt-reminiscent-of-both-bad-and-good-years.md) | -4.9% | +0.1% |
| SOY | 2018-04-17 | [A Costly Drought in Argentina - NASA Science](https://feedsoft.ai/events/65363-a-costly-drought-in-argentina-nasa-science.md) | -2.0% | -2.8% |
| SOY | 2023-07-31 | [Drought spreads in US Corn Belt ahead of July's scorching finish](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13260-drought-spreads-in-us-corn-belt-ahead-of-july-s-scorching-finish.md) | -2.9% | -7.1% |
| SOY | 2025-03-28 | [NOAA Projects Intensified Drought in the Western Corn Belt - ProAg](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13108-noaa-projects-intensified-drought-in-the-western-corn-belt-proag.md) | -0.5% | +3.2% |

## Sources

- farmersadvance.com: https://www.farmersadvance.com/story/news/2021/02/17/scientists-redefine-drought-corn-belt/6758750002/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.