soil temp-wheat freeze?

[aj]

It got down to 32 degrees here in Goodland, Kansas last night. No corn has germinated yet though most has not been planted yet. I think 4 inch soil temp is 50. What the heck.....we are getting close to freezing wheat out.I think this years wheat crop is a couple weeks behind normal but its kinda getting hairy. Did the volcano deal start a "little ice age" or what? Is the wheat going to get smoked this year anywhere? Anyone have corn up yet. Goodland is at about 3600 feet.

 

[Jill]

We have it sprouted in Gardner.

 

[justintime]

I don't grain farm, but my neighbors who have planted grain, have been telling me that it was sprouted in 3 days following planting. We dropped to 30 F here last night and supposed to be as cold tonight or even a couple degrees colder. Most of the crop is not seeded yet, due to rain for the past week or more. We have had above normal weather through most of April, but we have had below normal weather during this past week. I have used more straw in the past 3 days that I have in the past 3 months, just trying to keep the babies warm and dry. Our forecast shows one more cool day then gradual warming  over the next week and then back to slightly above normal temps again. For once I hope they are close to being right.

 

[CAB]

  Saw quite a bit of corn up last weekend here in SW Iowa, but there is still quite a bit to plant also. Some beans are starting to get put in the ground. Forcast is for a rainy period startint Thursday through Tuesday with some nice weather intermitten.

 

[aj]

Historically, we have been smoked out in a wheat freeze may 10th, May 20th in the last 20 years or so. The one year it froze May 20, it smoked alot of of corn that was a foot tall or so. I think that in order to hurt wheat it has to be 27 degrees for 4 hours or something like that. Wind affects it also. Canopy and heat radiating out of the soil can help preventing freeze damage too.

 

[Shady Lane]

This is what I saw looking out the back door this morning, May 5'th


The weather has been absolutely miserable the last while.

Their were wind gusts as high as 105 MPH two nights ago with driving snow and sleet.

Evidentally seeding has been delayed, many growers in this area have about 1,000 acres in the ground so far.

I saw some wheat a week ago that was 3-4" out of the ground. I don't imagine this will b good for it at all.

This weather is pretty hard on the baby calves as well, this morning I discovered that most of mine had found the driest warmest place on the farm.

Most of them had nested in 1/2 full bale feeders!

(clapping)

 

[AAOK]

Ask Al Gore!

 

[Shady Lane]

I should also mention that it was 24Fthis morning when I took this picture.

(argue)

 

[KCK]

Wheat officials from all states are gathering in Wichita even as I type. They have toured the whole state for two/three days and will give their findings today. In past years, whenever wheat freeze damage is talked about, I believe they look at how long it was below freezing and what stage it is in. If it is only that way for a few hours and the crop is still in the boot stage, it shouldn't be effected. However, as we all know- there is no controlling the world of crops and weather. Around the Hobart, Oklahoma area they reported today the presence of some freeze damage from some colder temps in the first part of April. Nothing too wide spread, but still noticeable to the trained eye.