Fewer Rainy Days and Earlier Springs Linked in Northern Climates

Mar 30, 2022

By Pam Knox

A recent article from the National Science Foundation describes the result of a study on when new leaves appear on plants in spring by scientists at Ohio State University and published in Nature Climate Change. The study shows that while warmer temperatures are the primary cause of earlier leaf occurrence, the number of days of rain (not the amount of precipitation) also makes a difference, and as the number of rainy days per year has been decreasing in many areas north of 30 degrees latitude, this is also affecting how early the leaves come out. The researchers calculated that a decline in rainfall frequency will lead to spring arriving an additional one to two days earlier each decade through 2100. What would cause this? The researchers think that fewer rainy days means fewer cloudy days, too, and that more sunlight reaching the plants in spring stimulates them to produce leaves earlier in the year.

Source : uga.edu

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.