News
2019 growing season isn’t a one-off, similar conditions expected in the future
Record spring rains, planting delays, and dry conditions in the summer have made it a challenging growing season.
DTN meteorologist Bryce Anderson says farmers can expect similar conditions in the coming years.
“The prospect of these heavier precipitation patterns in winter and spring and then drier conditions during the summer are going to stay with us as we continue on,” he says.
But, Ceres Solutions Agronomist Betsy Bower says there are things that growers can do to improve their ability to plant on time and adapt to these conditions.
“No-till, strip-till, cover crops, and learning how to use those practices,” she says. “I think those could be ways that we could improve that crop over all from a rooting depth. But again, baby steps, start with small amounts of cover crops to see how it’s going to work on an operation and then go forward.”
Anderson and Bower spoke on a panel Thursday during the Forbes Ag Tech Summit in Indianapolis.
Audio: Betsy Bower, Ceres Solutions
Seriously. I hope the sound bites are better than this going forward. Growers need to first reflect on their management ability and then… there are a multitude of options to move forward. Wet or dry, we can do this but, the “co-op” way will not cut the muster. If you aren’t working with a CCA or CPAg…you will be a “kneeler” to the next Farm Program.