Purdue Ag News Roundup
Purdue Ag News RoundupFebruary 27, 1998
In fact, across much of the state, soil is holding as much moisture as it can right now, according to Purdue Cooperative Extension Service agronomist Gary Steinhardt.
"We typically have an excess of soil moisture in February," Steinhardt said, "but this is not a typical February."
Purdue climatologist Ken Scheeringa said there's been no above-normal precipitation in Indiana since summer, except for January. He explained that "precipitation" is a catch-all term for all liquid deposited on earth by Mother Nature, so melted snow or hail, for example, would be included in precipitation figures. Midwestern Climate Center data show an overall average precipitation deficit of 2.5 inches for the state since Sept. 1. Since Dec. 1, though, the precipitation has been only 0.06 inches below average.
"It's drier than what you would expect for this time of year," Steinhardt said, "but right now it still looks favorable."
Steinhardt is concerned that farmers trying to get their crops planted early, to beat a potential summer drought, will take advantage of the milder-than-usual temperatures to work their fields before the soils are ready.
"They need to be careful working wet ground and realize the compaction side effects," he said. "They should use general cautions and be prudent. There's a tremendous incentive for extremely early planting, but research doesn't show any advantage."
Extension agronomist Bob Nielsen agreed with Steinhardt that producers shouldn't jump the gun.
"If the pattern continues, they could be able to get out there early anyway," he said.
He said there's little agreement on whether there will be a drought, so growers shouldn't plan for it by making drastic management changes.
"It ensures lower yield," he said. "It plans for failure. They should make sure everything they do is to optimize crop growth."
Nielsen said the consensus among Purdue agronomists is that, although it's not usual, the situation isn't critical.
"It's been dry enough to tile this winter, which is unusual," he said, "but with normal spring rainfall, we should be in good shape."
He added that the Long-Term Palmer Drought Index Map, which portrays moisture levels deep in the soil, shows near-normal levels for most of Indiana, with the northeastern corner of the state showing above-normal levels. "It doesn't indicate any problems," he said.
CONTACTS: Steinhardt, (765) 494-8063; e-mail, gsteinhardt@dept.agry.purdue.edu
Scheeringa, (765) 494-8105; e-mail, kscheeringa@dept.agry.purdue.edu
Nielsen, (765) 494-4802; e-mail, rnielsen@purdue.edu
Primarily designed to assist younger 4-H members with their swine projects, the workshop will cover tips on selecting 4-H pigs, keeping the pig healthy, swine judging, meat evaluation and a sausage-making session. There also will be a seminar on finding answers for the swine activity book.
The workshop is a joint effort of the Purdue Departments of 4-H-Youth and Animal Sciences. Parents and chaperones are welcome to participate.
Junior Pork Day registration will start at 8 a.m. in the lobby of Lilly Hall. The fee is $2, and no preregistration is required. The workshop will start at 9 a.m., and a complimentary lunch will be served at noon. The day will conclude with an awards program for the top swine judges at 3 p.m. For more information, contact Purdue swine specialist Brian Richert at (765) 494-4863 or your county Extension office.
CONTACT: Linda Chezem, head of the Department of 4-H Youth, (756) 494-8422
Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; e-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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