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Ag and Weather 2011
Ron Meyer, Area
Extension Agent - Golden Plains Area
Date: 1/19/2012
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Weather again varied
tremendously during 2011 across the Golden Plains Area. While areas north of
I-70 enjoyed better-than-normal precipitation, areas south of Interstate 70
experienced some of the driest conditions in recent history. Precipitation
measured from Burlington 3, a Colorado State University Extension weather
station located on the Coryell farm 4 miles NE of Burlington, recorded below
normal rainfall from the months of January, February, March, April, June,
August, September, October, November, and December. Only May and July, two
critical months in High Plains crop production, received above-normal
precipitation in 2011. This rainfall data underscored how important
precipitation timing can be. May precipitation provided timely moisture for the
wheat crop, which turned out decent at many locations. Precipitation recorded
in July, assisted the spring planted crops such as corn and
sunflower.
In addition, reduced tillage soil management has helped to
extend limited rainfall that was received. This was evident at harvest when
better-than-expected dryland yields were observed.
Growing degree days,
which is a calculated measurement of heat that corn can utilize, was observed
much above normal during the summer months. June, July, and August measurements
recorded much-above normal growing degree days, while May and September
recorded below-normal growing degree days. May heat is important for
germination and early growth while heat received in September is important for
crop maturity.
