Regardless what the calendar has been telling us for a few weeks now, the weather has finally caught up to prove that spring is finally here.
Now for further proof, I received the first installment of the Weekly Crop and Weather Update for the 2009 growing season from the Southern Research and Outreach Center at Waseca. This means that spring truly is here.
Here's what the report for the week April 9 through April 15 has to say.
"The first sign of spring that we look for is the ice-out on area lakes. Clear Lake was ice-free on March 25 this year, which is about 10 days ahead of normal. Frost was out of the soil by April 3, but air temperatures, especially nighttime lows, remained cool for the first 10 days of April, and topsoil remained wet. Sunshine and warm temperatures arrived on the 12th and top soil has dried out allowing farmers to begin spring activities. Nitrogen fertilizer is being applied. Small grains are planted and few are starting to plant corn.
"Air temperatures this week averaged 44.4 degrees, which is about 3 degrees above normal. We did not receive any precipitation. Last year this week we received 1.41 inches, normal is 0.5 inch. Year-to-date, we are about 1 inch behind normal precipitation. Soil temperature is rising nicely. The sunny skies and dry conditions, help the soils warm faster. Average two-inch soil temperatures are 50 degrees, which is 6 degrees above normal.
"Corn planting will start slowly this week but should get into full swing next week, if weather allows. Soils are dry and a light rain would only mean short delays so we are optimistic at this time for a good corn-planting season."
The Minnesota office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service also issues weekly weather and crop reports throughout the growing season. We will try to make that information available on our site as well, or at least a link for you to access that info.
Posted by Kevin Schulz, The Land Editor
