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Battle for the Belt: Season 3, Episode 5: Weather and Planting Update

 

 

 

 

Season 3, Episode 5 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYGuSdz2Vw&list=PLYlh_BdeqniI74ycivSl_yVOjWJjdjg2X&index=7

When will we be able to plant? That’s the question on many farmers’ minds as we head into late April and early May. In Episode 5 of Battle for the Belt, we get an update on weather conditions from Dr. Aaron Wilson, OSU Extension Ag Weather & Climate Field Specialist and State Climatologist of Ohio.

Planting has picked up across Ohio under mild, favorable conditions. Soil temperatures are mostly in the mid-50s to 60°F, aiding progress despite a wetter-than-average month. Strong winds have helped dry soils, and most areas are in good shape. This week brings several rain chances, possible severe weather, and cooler conditions with a frost risk. A drier, warmer window from May 5–11 should offer a good planting opportunity.

For more information, please read Aaron’s C.O.R.N. article from this week “Favorable Planting Weather.”

What’s happening in the field?

Progress continues across all Battle for the Belt locations! As a reminder, the second planting date was successfully completed at both the Northwest and Wooster sites between April 16th and 18th (Table 1). Looking ahead, plans are in place to move forward with the third planting date, roughly three weeks after the second. These plans are subject to change pending weather and field conditions. Planting date 1 (March 27), corn and soybean, at Northwest and Wooster locations, are showing promising signs, with emergence out of the ground visible (Figure 1). These early-planted crops benefited from a recent warmup that contributed to additional growing degree days (GDDs) accumulation (Table 1).

Figure 1. Corn and Soybean emergence about 4 weeks after planting. Photo credits: Maria Kessler and Diego Miranda.

The Western Agricultural Research Station was also able to get in on the action, completing planting date one on April 18th. These crops have germinated and are now beginning to emerge (Figure 2). Within the next ten days, the second planting date at Western will be planted, if soil conditions allow. This location is scheduled to be planted every two weeks.

Figure 2. Planting date 1 progress at the Western Agricultural Research Station in Clark County, OH. Photo Credits: Osler Ortez.

Table 1. Precipitation, soil temperature, average air temperature, and cumulative GDDs at the Western Agricultural Research Station, the Northwest Agricultural Research Station, and Wooster Campus. Weather data retrieved from: https://weather.cfaes.osu.edu/.

Table 1

As a recap, this research project includes five planting date windows, 1) Ultra early = late March to early April; 2) Early = mid to late April; 3) Normal = early to mid-May; 4) Late = late May-first week of June; and 5) Very late = mid to late June.

Keep following the ‘Battle for the Belt’ this growing season to learn more and get further updates! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel.

 

Authors: Maria Kessler, Laura Lindsey, Osler Ortez, Aaron Wilson, Taylor Dill, Diego Miranda, Lynn Ault

Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.