AGRI-NEWS - Issue 23 - 03, March, 2002
Coming Events
- Mar. 14 - ORR Corp. Meeting, 10:00 AM, Camp Point
- Mar. 21-22 - Careers Day for Area 8th Grade Students,
ORR Center
- Mar. 26-27 - North Central ASA Meetings, Ames, IA.
| February Summary |
Average Maximum |
Average Minimum |
| Sod Soil Temperature |
38 °F |
36 °F |
| Bare Soil Temperature |
41 °F |
33 °F |
| Air Temperature |
45 °F |
27 °F |
| Departure From Normal |
+ 5.56 °F |
+ 6.35 °F |
| Air Temperature Extremes |
(2/25) + 71°F |
(2/27) + 11 °F |
| February Precipitation Through 2/28/2002 |
1.08 in |
|
| Departure From Normal |
- 0.77 in |
|
| 2002 Cumulative Precipitation 1/1 - 2/28/2002 |
4.48 in |
|
| Cumulative Departure from Normal |
+ 1.03 in |
|
| 2001 February Precipitation |
4.61 in |
|
| 2001 Cumulative Precipitation 1/1 - 2/28/2001 |
8.47 in |
|
| 2002 Growing Deg. Days 1/1 - 2/28/2002 |
65.00 |
|
| GDD Departure From Normal - 2002 |
+ 25.79 |
|
| 2001 Growing Deg. Days 1/1 - 2/28/2001 |
14.50 |
|
| 2002 February Snowfall 1/1 - 2/28/2002 |
1.90 in |
|
| Departure from Normal |
- 3.06 in |
|
| 2002 Cumulative Snowfall |
4.63 in |
|
| Monthly Wind Run |
3402.5 mi. |
|
Weather: February has left flowers and
trees wondering just what is going on! With a temperature swing of 71 °F
on the 25th, and a low of 11 °F on the 27th,
followed with yet more snow and cold, leaves me confused as well as the
rest of the plant and animal kingdom. We recorded 8 days with precipitation,
and only 2 of those were snowy. The soil moisture tubes registered "free"
water movement for three days, then, they went dry again. Rainfall and
snowfall were the only two parameters that were less than Normal for
the month. According to our records, 1979 was the coldest for nighttime
lows, and 2000 was the warmest for daytime highs.
Crop Report:We have noticed a few "burned"
leave tips in the winter wheat. Hopefully it is just a mild cold weather
effect, and the plants will recover. The crowns are still firm and
appear to be healthy. With all the wind this past month, we are seeing
plenty of "dirty snow" along field edges. Some "early
bird"
farmers were applying anhydrous ammonia during the last half of the month.
Soil conditions were nearly perfect in most areas.
ORR Center Events: Keep in mind the ORR
Corporation Annual Meeting, slated for March 14, commencing at 10 A.M.
at Marcella's Restaurant in Camp Point, IL. We will be electing new officers,
and discussing potential research projects, as well as making a list
of potential Field Day topics. Your input is needed in this important
meeting. The role of a Corporation Director, whether it be in the livestock
area or the agronomic area, is important in the direction that research
and demonstrations take at the Center. We need to know what you as a
producer feel is vital to your operation, and if we can assist you in
making better decisions about certain facets of your operation, then
you must tell us what we need to consider as research projects.
Research Results: Mike has finished the
spring planting schedule and land assignments. We are awaiting the arrival
of seed and chemical, then the season can commence! We have all of the
oat varieties except one and as soon as the ground dries a bit, we will
attempt to get those seeded. We still need some more moisture for the
soil profile, and hopefully March and early April will reduce the deficit
that we have at depth.
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