Preliminary August Weather Summary Plus The September Outlook For Corn, Soybeans, And Sorghum

Sep 05, 2017

By Mary Knapp

The preliminary data shows that August tied for the 7th coolest on record. The statewide average temperature was 72.7 oF, which was matched in August of 2004. All divisions were cooler than normal with departures ranging from -3.6 oF in the Northwest to -5.0 oF in the Southeast.

The cooler-than-normal temperatures were coupled with near-normal rainfall. The statewide average precipitation was 3.45 inches, which falls on the wetter side of the middle range of the distribution. Unfortunately, the rainfall was spread unevenly, with much higher-than-normal precipitation in the East Central and Southeastern divisions.

The updated outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for September calls for an increased chance of drier-than-normal conditions statewide. The temperature outlook is split, with cooler-than-normal temperatures in the east and warmer-than-normal temperatures in the west. The central part of the state has equal chances of warmer- or cooler-than-normal conditions.

Corn is reaching the late stages of the reproductive period, with only 15% mature at the state level, but overall temperatures will slow down the rate of drydown and result in a longer period before the corn reaches harvest. For soybeans, the main factor in the coming weeks will be the lack of rain – potentially compromising seed filling and final yields. Lastly, for sorghum, development in August was slower than normal due to the below-average number of sorghum growing degree days (see below figure). This can potentially lower the probability of maturing before the first freeze.

Further details and information will be presented in future Agronomy eUpdate articles. Stay tuned!

Figure 1. Departure from normal sorghum GDDS

Source: ksu.edu

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.