Battle for the Belt: Season 3, Episode 11: June Weather Update

Season 3, Episode 11 of Battle for the Belt is now available

In Episode 11 of Battle for the Belt, we get a June weather update from Dr. Aaron Wilson, OSU Extension Ag Weather & Climate Field Specialist and State Climatologist of Ohio.  

Ohio has experienced highly variable weather leading into June. Southern and southeastern regions of the state have seen well over three inches in some areas over the past month. Areas of northwest Ohio have remained much drier. Cooler-than-average temperatures have been prevalent (1-3°F below normal). These cooler temperatures have slowed crop development and have even put growing degree days (GDDs) 30-90 units behind schedule. Frequent rain days have further delayed spring fieldwork (up to 21 in May), especially in areas of the state with saturated soils.

Looking ahead, there is expected to be a brief stretch of drier weather midweek, paired with mild temperatures. Rain will reappear in the forecast on Friday through the weekend. The 8–14-day outlook calls for continued near-average temperatures and wetter-than-average conditions. The summer overall is expected to be slightly warmer, mainly when considering overnight low temperatures. Normal precipitation is expected, ultimately reducing drought risks in the short term. However, there will likely be some dry spells allowing farmers to wrap up planting activities.

What’s happening in the field? 

Last week, Wooster successfully planted an additional planting date thanks to favorable soil conditions. Planting date four is now complete at both the Northwest and Wooster locations (Table 1). Western is expected to plant the fourth planting date this week, weather permitting.

At the Northwest location, soybeans from planting dates one and two have reached the V2 growth stage, while those from planting date three are at VC. At VC, the unifoliate leaves have fully emerged at the second node of the plant and begin to create energy through photosynthesis. Corn from planting dates one and two are at the V5 stage, and planting date three is at V2. At V2, leaf initiation continues to occur, while nodal root formation is initiated. The growing point of the plant will remain below the soil surface until after the V5 stage, as this protects the plant in its early developmental stages.  

An issue observed at the Northwest site is soybean cotyledon loss due to soil crusting. Soil crusting if the formation of a shallow hard layer on the soil surface, formed from rapid drying. As soybeans attempt to emerge from the soil in these conditions, the hypocotyl may break when trying to push through the crust (Figure 1). If this occurs, the cotyledons will no longer be able to reach the soil surface, and the plant will die.

Western and Wooster crops are progressing similarly to Northwest with growth stages being noted in Table 2. As of this time, planting date four at Northwest and Wooster, and planting date three at Western have not yet emerged.

 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.