Killer frost, monsoon rains and drought have been our concerns since the first seed was deliberately pushed into the earth by a human hand. We have always been at the mercy of weather patterns, but we knew to plan for bad years. Extreme climatic changes have now taken the issue to a level of urgency.
Strange weather events have increased alarmingly during the past ten years, creating one the greatest agronomic challenges for this century. How do we plan for a successful harvest when nature’s fury can wipe out our fields in a heartbeat?
Preparing for the Unexpected
Experts such as Bob Nielsen, professor of agronomy at Purdue University, are telling us to get back to the fundamentals. We must plant crops that grow rapidly and vigorously during the early part of the season and provide them with everything they need to have a fighting chance.
Gathering as much information as possible is crucial to making the best decisions. It starts by getting out into the fields and scouting for areas that are not producing well. “That allows us to identity these low yield factors and then correct them later on,” says Neilsen.
Through the use of technology and the study of historical yield maps we can gather viable data to assess. Choosing hybrids that can tolerate high levels of stress is important, especially those that yield well across a variety of locations and conditions. Working with your seed dealer to identify the hybrids that fit the profile is worthwhile.
More than ever, improving our knowledge for successful farming is essential. No farmer is exempt. The last few years have proven that rogue weather can strike anywhere at any time.
