By Mike Rankin
The updated GDU and rainfall data for the 2014 growing season is now posted on the Resources page.
As we usher in November, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the 2014 growing season. Our first real killing frost of sub-30 degrees came on October 22 for the second year in a row, though there were a couple of leaf nippers before this.
We wrapped-up October with 111 growing degree units (GDUs), 55 less than normal. Rainfall for the month was 2.69 inches and about a third of an inch more than the 30-year average.
From April through October, 2514 GDUs were accumulated; this was 274 less than the 30-year average, but still well above the 2176 GDUs offered up in 2009. The only month this year when GDUs were above average was June. There was only one day during the summer when the high temperature pushed above 90 degrees.
Of course GDUs tell us a lot about a growing season, but not everything. For example, it’s possible to have a cool growing season yet still have a timely planting season and outstanding crop yields. For example, in 2011 we set a county record for average corn yield (177 bushels per acre), but accumulated fewer GDUs than we did this year.
The real deal breaker in 2014 was rainfall. Though not overwhelming, there was enough rain in late-April and early May to push the planting season into the back half of May; nearly two weeks of subsequent dry weather resulted in most fields being tilled and planted in a very short period of time.
May was followed by a deluge of moisture on June 1st and 2nd. Another mini-monsoon hit June 17-20. By the time June mercifully came to an end, over 10 inches of rain had fallen in most locations. Many fields were replanted, only to be flooded-out again. Severe soil erosion occurred, nitrogen was lost, and it was too late to recover for many fields.
Measured total rainfall from April through October was 28.65 inches. Of course some areas got more — others less. This total was about 5.8 inches more than normal. The driest month was September with 1.48 inches.
It should be noted that many areas of Wisconsin and the Midwest didn’t have the amount of June rain experienced in East Central Wisconsin. They will produce record crop yields this year; Illinois is expected to average 200 bu/A of corn and Wisconsin is projected to tie the state record average of 162 bu/A.
There will be excellent yields of corn and soybeans harvested off some local, well-drained fields this year and most would not put 2014 into the category of a disaster year. Some crops like alfalfa provided outstanding production in 2014. Nevertheless, a whole lot of June rain coupled with later than normal planting dates dashed the hopes of any chance for a record fall harvest in 2014. Go get ‘em next year.
Source:uwex.edu