This presentation was produced and is copyrighted by Stewart- Peterson®, Inc. 2006. Permission is granted for use by active AgEdNet.com® subscribers. All other use is prohibited.

STEWART-PETERSON and AGEDNET.COM are registered trademarks of Stewart-Peterson, Inc.

FM123 Adjusting Operations to Weather Changes

Farm Management Library

MAIN IDEA:

• How can I use weather information to adjust farming operations?

NRCS photo by Tim McCabe.

Planning a fieldwork schedule:

• A work schedule can help you make decisions on equipment size and number of workers.

• Make plans based on the average number of fieldwork days that can be expected based on long-term weather records.

• Follow current weather forecasts and be ready to make adjustments.

Planting is critical:

• Includes field preparation and putting seed in the ground

• Starts when weather and soil conditions allow

• Must be done within optimum planting period

• Objective: Finish on time with the labor and equipment available.

Planting delays are costly:

• Optimum corn planting time in the central U.S. Corn Belt is only 15 days long – from about April 15 to May 1.

• Weather delays may require switching from corn to soybeans.

• Each day of delay after optimum corn planting date reduces yield by about 1%.

USDA photo.

Planning harvest operations:

• Harvest dates are critical for hay and small grains.

• Hay must be cut and cured at proper time for highest quality and nutrition. NRCS photo/Norm Klopfenstein.

Planning harvest operations:

• Wheat requires dry days after maturity.

• Winter wheat requires timely fall moisture and adequate snow cover.

• Spring-seeded small grains mature based on Growing Degree Days (GDD).

USDA photo/Tim McCabe.

Planning Pesticide Applications:

• Growing Degree Days affect pest development and most effective time for pesticide applications.

• Chemical applications are restricted by regulation to a specific plant stage or number of days before harvest.

• Wind direction and velocity must be considered.

• Heavy rain may reduce effectiveness.

This presentation was produced and is copyrighted by Stewart- Peterson®, Inc. 2006. Permission is granted for use by active AgEdNet.com® subscribers. All other use is prohibited.

STEWART-PETERSON and AGEDNET.COM are registered trademarks of Stewart-Peterson, Inc.

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