Posted on June 5, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Wet fields continue to make this a challenging year for local farmers. Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery says farmers haven’t been able to get much work done so far.
“This is not just confined to our area or even Indiana,” he says. “It’s pretty widespread throughout the Midwest. It’s kind of a historic year behind schedule on a lot of planting.”
Woolery adds that later planting leads to lower yield potential. “So after a certain point in May, you’re starting to look then, with soybeans, losing half a bushel a day, it could be,” he says. “You just have less time to grow, so your yield is typically going to be a little lower potential there.”
Still, Woolery says the local area appears to be faring better than most of the state. “I would guess we’re probably at least 50-percent done at this point, which isn’t good because most farmers are probably, on a normal year, finishing up at this point; but considering other parts of the state, some farmers haven’t even started. We have better soil conditions for that.” He says he’s heard some reports of wind damage from recent storms, but the wet fields remain the bigger concern.
Showing posts with label Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Warm Weather Helping to Speed Up Fall Harvest
Posted on October 3, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Warm weather is helping to push this year’s harvest season along, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery. “Things are picking up pretty fast now,” he says. “We’ve had some kind of warm and dry weather that’s helped dry crops down, which has helped speed up harvest on corn and soybeans, helping things mature faster. We had some real warm weather that helped with crops growing faster, as well, so earlier than average harvest start time.”
Woolery says one of the biggest weather challenges this year was a dry spell back in July. “That affected some of the corn, depending on if the farmers had irrigation,” he explains. “But August, September is key time for soybeans, and we got some nice rains in there that helped finish off the soybean crop in our area.” But he says there were some more localized issues, like strong winds that blew down some corn in certain places.
When it comes to household plants, Woolery encourages homeowners to keep an eye on the weather as cooler temperatures approach. He says that when frost approaches, sensitive outdoor plants may be covered, while any tropical house plants should be brought indoors.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Warm weather is helping to push this year’s harvest season along, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery. “Things are picking up pretty fast now,” he says. “We’ve had some kind of warm and dry weather that’s helped dry crops down, which has helped speed up harvest on corn and soybeans, helping things mature faster. We had some real warm weather that helped with crops growing faster, as well, so earlier than average harvest start time.”
Woolery says one of the biggest weather challenges this year was a dry spell back in July. “That affected some of the corn, depending on if the farmers had irrigation,” he explains. “But August, September is key time for soybeans, and we got some nice rains in there that helped finish off the soybean crop in our area.” But he says there were some more localized issues, like strong winds that blew down some corn in certain places.
When it comes to household plants, Woolery encourages homeowners to keep an eye on the weather as cooler temperatures approach. He says that when frost approaches, sensitive outdoor plants may be covered, while any tropical house plants should be brought indoors.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Flooding, Cold Temperatures May Cause Slight Delays for Spring Planting
Posted on April 5, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Cold and wet weather so far this year may delay spring planting a little, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery. “It’s certainly slowing things down,” he says. “There hasn’t been much field work done. Some things that have been going on would be some field fertilization when the fields were dry enough, spreading some fertilizer that way. Other than that, there hasn’t been a whole lot of work done.”
When it comes to the recent flooding, Woolery says the biggest impact will be on mint production. “If some of these fields were under water for a long period of time, a couple weeks, that might’ve killed the mint plants, being under water that long. So that would be the main impact at this point,” he explains. “Some other minor things with things washing into farmers’ fields and a little erosion, that way, would be the other impacts.”
He explains that while mint can be planted in colder weather, most other planting will have to wait. “I think I saw somewhere we’re like 20 degrees below normal right now. The soil temperatures need to warm up before they start thinking about planting. Soil temperatures need to be, for corn planting, at least 50 degrees for corn to germinate and have good growth there. So I think we’re kind of a ways before planting season starts, then."
Woolery says this year’s planting may be a bit behind last year’s schedule, when warmer temperatures allowed corn and soybeans to be planted around the middle of April.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Cold and wet weather so far this year may delay spring planting a little, according to Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator Phil Woolery. “It’s certainly slowing things down,” he says. “There hasn’t been much field work done. Some things that have been going on would be some field fertilization when the fields were dry enough, spreading some fertilizer that way. Other than that, there hasn’t been a whole lot of work done.”
When it comes to the recent flooding, Woolery says the biggest impact will be on mint production. “If some of these fields were under water for a long period of time, a couple weeks, that might’ve killed the mint plants, being under water that long. So that would be the main impact at this point,” he explains. “Some other minor things with things washing into farmers’ fields and a little erosion, that way, would be the other impacts.”
He explains that while mint can be planted in colder weather, most other planting will have to wait. “I think I saw somewhere we’re like 20 degrees below normal right now. The soil temperatures need to warm up before they start thinking about planting. Soil temperatures need to be, for corn planting, at least 50 degrees for corn to germinate and have good growth there. So I think we’re kind of a ways before planting season starts, then."
Woolery says this year’s planting may be a bit behind last year’s schedule, when warmer temperatures allowed corn and soybeans to be planted around the middle of April.
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