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UGA climate expert shares production strategies for spring weather

UGA climate expert shares production strategies for spring weather
By Emily Cabrera
 
Georgia weather is predictably unpredictable, bitter cold one week and balmy the next. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension experts urge Georgia growers to pay close attention to the weather over the coming months and be prepared to use irrigation for frost protection and to overcome potential dry conditions as we move into spring.
 
Fortunately, there is currently no drought in Georgia due to wet conditions over the winter and there is ample soil moisture in many fields. However, drought can reappear at any time and is more likely when spring comes early, as plants come out of dormancy and begin to use more water.
 
Drought conditions last summer and autumn affected most of Georgia’s agricultural areas, and some may still be suffering from below normal soil moisture.
 
“The tricky thing is that droughts tend to deliver a one-two punch for growers, as we first get hit with warm, dry conditions in the fall then, if those conditions continue into winter, there is not enough recharge to improve water reserves in the soil. So, when plants come out of dormancy earlier and start sucking up the groundwater, there isn’t enough to sustain those plants as we move into the warmer months and it becomes a vicious cycle,” said UGA Agricultural Climatologist Pam Knox.
 
During years where are no El Nino or La Nina weather patterns expected, winter months will often be warmer with fewer chill hours, she said. As spring buds begin to form and flower, late frosts can occur and damage those buds, impacting harvests.
 
This is particularly important for Georgia’s blueberry growers, who met earlier this month in Alma, Georgia, for the annual UGA Blueberry Update where Knox talked about management strategies to help mitigate the impact of a possible late frost.
 
Knox reminded the growers of the multiple benefits of using irrigation in blueberry production, first to ensure that enough water is getting to the plants, but also as a potential frost protection strategy if overhead sprinkler systems are used.
 
“Using overhead irrigation as a frost protection method is definitely a complex process. The idea is that, if temperatures aren’t predicted to be too low, applying water just before temperatures drop can help insulate plants,” Knox said. “However, this needs to be a careful calculation. If temperatures drop too low and ice sits on plants too long it can damage the buds and leaves and we can end up with a lot of breakage”.
 
UGA Extension Bulletin 1479, “Commercial Freeze Protection for Fruits and Vegetables,” is a great resource to learn more about how to protect crops during cold and variable months. The bulletin explains various factors that need to be considered when using overhead irrigation as a frost protection method and references the different stages of development to consider.
 
As we move into spring and more weather data are collected, Knox will be posting updates on her blog, “Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast,” to help producers get a clearer sense of what to expect. She also suggests using a combination of weather prediction resources, such as the National Weather Service and the UGA Weather Network. The UGA network collects from stations throughout Georgia. To view this data, go to www.GeorgiaWeather.net.
 
Source : uga.edu

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Agricultural Market Update: Grain Prices, Crop Conditions, and Weather Impacts

Welcome back to our channel where we provide comprehensive updates on the latest trends and changes in the agricultural sector. This week, we're looking at significant movements in grain prices, crop conditions, and the effects of weather patterns. Let's dive into the details:

Grain Price Decline Grain prices have fallen to their lowest levels since 2020, with December corn down 4.3% and November soybeans losing 3.1%. This decline is partly due to the beneficial moisture brought by Hurricane Beryl to the Midwest, which has improved crop conditions significantly. The USDA reported that corn and soybean crops are in their best condition in four years, contributing to the downward pressure on prices.

Record Short Positions and Market Sentiment Fund traders have increased their net short positions in the corn market to a record level, with a net short of 347,000 contracts of corn. This reflects a bearish sentiment in the market, further influencing grain price dynamics. Similar selling trends were observed in soybeans and SRW wheat, indicating broad market caution.

Weather Impact and Forecast Hurricane Beryl has brought significant rainfall across Arkansas, Missouri, western Tennessee, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois, with more expected over Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana in the coming days. Despite this, the market is currently more focused on the moisture benefits rather than potential heat risks forecasted in the 6-10 and 8-14 day periods.

US Crop Conditions Corn and soybean conditions have shown slight improvements last week, with corn rated 68% good to excellent and soybeans at 68%. These are among the best ratings for this time of year since 2020, suggesting robust crop health that could continue to influence grain prices.

Winter Wheat Harvest and Spring Wheat Conditions The US winter wheat harvest is progressing well, ahead of schedule with significant portions already harvested in Kansas and Texas. Spring wheat conditions are also favorable, with 75% rated good to excellent, although there have been some declines in states like Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington. Brazil's Corn Harvest and US Exports Brazil's second corn crop harvest is advancing rapidly due to favorable hot and dry conditions, with 63% of the crop already harvested. Meanwhile, US corn shipments saw a substantial increase last week, indicating strong export demand, which contrasts with the recent drop in domestic grain prices.

Ongoing Developments Lastly, the USDA reported a flash sale of corn, with significant quantities sold to unknown destinations, scheduled for delivery over the next two marketing years. This could signal ongoing international demand for US corn despite lower prices.

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