The weather pattern over the last couple of weeks has certainly brought cooler temperatures to the region. However, temperatures are still above average across the state through the first 16 days of October. In fact, most locations across the northern half of Ohio typically experience their first 32°F (freeze) in the first two weeks of the month. As Figure 1 shows, this is not the case in 2023, with only a couple of stations having reported freeze conditions so far.
climate
Corn Dry Down
Cooler than normal temperatures and wetter than normal precipitation can impact corn drydown (figure 2). Once corn reaches physiological maturity (when kernels have obtained maximum dry weight and black layer is formed), it will dry approximately 0.75 to 1% per day during favorable drying weather (sunny and breezy) during the earlier part of the harvest season (from mid‑September to late September). By early to mid‑October, dry-down rates usually drop to 0.5 to 0.75% per day. Between late October to early November, field dry‑down rates drop to 0.25 to 0.5% per day. Finally, by mid November, drydown rate is stimated at about 0 to 0.25% per day. The later it gets, drying rates go lower and at times drying can be negligible.
An excerpt from: Ohio Crop Progress: Precipitation, Cool Weather, and Corn Dry Down
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Spring Temperature Trend Chart
Lunch and Learn, Feb 24: Ohio eFields Program and On-farm Research
Join us from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on February 24 for lunch and a learning opportunity to find out more about on-farm research in Ohio. Meeting location is the Rural Services Building, 225 Underwood St, Zanesville.
Elizabeth Hawkins, Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems with Ohio State University Extension will be joining us by ZOOM. Elizabeth will be sharing about the E-Fields program and On-Farm Research.
Lunch and Learn: Pizza, Pop and Profit
Back again in 2023 OSU Extension and SWCD will host a noon-time lunch opportunity with guest speakers on topics in agricultural management. January 20, Jenni Fridgen, Graduate Research Assistant with Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Kentucky will be joining us by ZOOM. Jenni will be sharing about nutrition on low P testing fields. The University of Kentucky has an ongoing 6 year study managing Phosphorus on low testing fields. She will also be able to address questions on grid soil sampling.
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Average Last Spring Freeze Date
Late Last Spring Freeze Date
Muskingum County
20F: Apr 6
25F: Apr 16
28F: Apr 29
30F: May 4
32F: May 14
35F: May 22
40F: Jun 1
Muskingum Notes June 22
Rainfall trends continue to remain dry, but drought is still only used to describe conditions in the western states at this time. However, rainfall totals at the Zanesville Airport are only 13.11 inches for the year, which is nearly at midpoint on the calendar, and presumably is a significant deficit. Isolated storms have benefited some, but this is a trend we are watching. Reports out of western Ohio include much more severe rainfall and storms.
The growing degree calculator from Ohio State shows 1,333 growing degree days for the 43701 zipcode today. This is higher than any of the past six years. A review of the daily temperature record indicates the majority of above average heat accumulation occurred in March and April.
The crabgrass in my yard is coming in strong. At this point, it is what it will be for the year since any crabgrass control is really an early spring activity if using a preemergent herbicide. Lawn repair is best left as a late summer and early fall activity to maintain a healthy vibrant lawn to manage for subsequent years.
Lightning bugs have put on a display the last few evenings. Even the dog likes to sit and watch. Here’s a few facts to share with your friends: there are 170 species of fireflies in the U.S. and Canada, mostly in the East and South. Different species of fireflies will flash with different patterns and the “light” occurs from a mixture of chemicals and enzymes all as part of the mating process.
Sources:
Midwestern Regional Climate Center, https://mrcc.illinois.edu/
OSU Growing Degree Day Calculator, https://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/gdd/
Crabgrass Control in Lawns for Homeowners in the Northern US, https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1308/
Lightning Bugs, Lightningbugs | Horticulture and Home Pest News (iastate.edu)