For those of you who sat in our Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training, you already know about using the National Weather Service website to see and capture the seven-day forecast for manure or fertilizer applications. Go to https://www.weather.gov, then select forecast - local - then enter your zip code. View the multi-day forecast report in the lower right corner. Shown here for Marysville – doesn’t look too bad but unfortunately the ground won’t support equipment.

A couple of other tools can also be used, and have interesting features are: 

• The Ohio Applicator Forecast from the Ohio Department of Agriculture is designed to help nutrient applicators identify times when weather-risk for applying is low. Visit: https://www.agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/resources/ohio-applicator-forecast
  • The risk forecast is created by the National Weather Service
  • Takes snow accumulation and melt, soil moisture, and forecast precipitation and temperatures into account.
  • The chances of surface runoff in the next 24 hours are displayed on the overview map of the state.
  • Zoom to street level and 7 days of weather conditions and runoff chances are predicted.
  • Risk is grouped into 3 categories: Low, Medium, and High.
  • When the risk is Medium, it is recommended that the applicator evaluate the situation to determine if there are other locations or later dates when the application could take place.
• Field Application Resource Monitor from OSU. Visit: https://farm.bpcrc.osu.edu
  • F.A.R.M. allows users to define their location of interest (using Google Maps) and receive 12- and 24-hour precipitation forecasts to aid in the application of fertilizer, manure, and/or pesticides.
  • F.A.R.M. also utilizes a database of historical forecasts allowing users to search previous dates.
  • Gives you a red light or a green light on application.