March 8, 2021
Growing degree days as calculated by the Climate Smart Farming CSF Growing Degree Day Calculator at http://climatesmartfarming.org/tools/csf-growing-degree-day-calculator/
The blustery winds la
st week heralded the return of spring. A check of the cumulative growing degree days using base 50 F since January 1, 2021 shows conditions are nearly normal for the 15 year average and 30 year average. This base 50 F calculator is best used for crops that germinate when air and soil temperatures approach ideal germination and rapid growth.
The calculator that best matches fall planted small grains uses a lower temperature threshold (32 to 42 F). At base 45, we have had just 2 GDD since the beginning of the year. Historically, we would expect to have 48 to 55 F by March 10th.
Hopefully the next few days in the county will bring plenty of sunshine to bring small grains out of dormancy.