Figuring Out the 2019 Lessons Learned
By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Ohio Field Leader
Sometimes the best lessons learned are from the times things do not go as planned. Most in agriculture will agree that 2019 is a year that in many aspects did not go as we had planned. The variability of planting dates and conditions throughout the growing season left many farmers scratching their heads, especially as it related to the final yields. In some cases, the yields were what was expected as a result of the late planting and given growing conditions this year. In other cases, however, the yields were surprisingly good. The Ohio State University is undertaking a project to try to better understand the yield impacts of the planting delays created by the 2019 weather conditions. A farmer survey has been developed, and researchers are asking for your help.
Normal planting dates for Ohio range from mid-April to the end of May. This season was quite different when planting for both crops was delayed until late May and stretched into June and even July across many parts of Ohio. Farmers found themselves grasping for any information they could find including 1) how much of an effect late planting dates would have on yield, and 2) what, if anything, we should change in management of these late planted crops. The historical planting date information we did have was somewhat helpful, but we did not have any data on what could happen when planting is delayed into the second half of June nor July.
“While it may be tempting to write off this year as a fluke from which there are no real lessons to be learned, there is a growing body of data from climatologists that suggest that this is a beginning of a trend. What occurred is a giant, unplanned and involuntary trial conducted by Ohio corn and soybean farmers this year,” said Elizabeth Hawkins, OSU Extension, Agronomic Systems Field Specialist.
“This experiment can help us understand the ramifications of how planting date and hybrid/ variety maturity affected overall yields, as well as pinpoint where further research is needed to fill the gaps in knowledge for future management decisions.” To accomplish these goals, researchers at The Ohio State University plan to collect a small amount of data on a large number of fields, which can be used to provide baseline information to share how to manage these crops under similar weather events in the future.
To complete the survey, please click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your browser.
Follow this link to the Survey: