The Old Farmer’s Almanac released its latest long range forecast
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
If The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s long range forecast for the United States holds true and the winter in the Heartland Region is warmer than normal, fields could experience nitrogen loss, according to Scott Nelson, director of the On-Farm Network for the Iowa Soybean Association.
“If farmers are applying nitrogen in the fall, (warmer temperatures) could equate to more soil nitrogen loss through denitrification and nitrogen leaching,” Nelson told Farms.com.
“(Farmers) store their nitrogen in the fall, so warmer weather isn’t good for it.”
But before winter arrives, producers need to harvest their 2017 crops.
The forecast for the Heartland Region suggests thunderstorms could occur each of September, according to the Almanac.
Despite the possibility of thunderstorms, farmers shouldn’t have a problem harvesting their crops.
“It could slow them down,” Nelson said. “Some of the crop will be coming off in late September but generally it shouldn’t slow them down too much.”
And looking forward to the 2018 growing season, the Almanac suggests April and May will be cooler and wetter than normal.
If those weather conditions hold true, they could present farmers with a number of challenges.
“That kind of weather could delay planting, which can impact yield significantly,” Nelson said.
“Also, if it’s wetter than normal, there could be more early season diseases that can impact stand establishment. Generally, wetter springs aren’t as good for modern farming as dry springs.”
Other highlights from the Almanac’s forecast include a hotter than normal summer with lower than usual amounts of rainfall.
And September and October 2018 will be warmer and wetter than usual.