Bean harvest began this week and the earliest planted corn fields are reaching maturity. 

The first killing frost has not arrived but the growing season is more or less over for our field crops. 

As much as we concentrate our efforts on variables we control, weather still has the greatest influence on yield. 

Several years ago we began tracking growing season vital stats to improve our budget forecasts and marketing decisions. 

One of the most surprising findings is the weather variability within our radius.

In 2020, there was over 5" of variation in precipitation, from 18.1" to 23.4," between the dates of 5/1 to 9/15 at the 10 locations we have gauges. 

In general, more rain fell on the northern tier than the southern, however, the highest rainfall location was middle east with the lowest middle west.

Growing degree units (GDU's) since 5/1 varied from 2442 GDU's on our southernmost farms in New Haven, IA, to 2236 GDU's measured in Grand Meadow, MN.  

Compared to normal, New Haven was 12 units behind, roughly a day, while Grand Meadow was 166 units or 7-10 days behind. 

This was unexpected as the season started out earlier and warmer than usual. It appeared we were on track for above average heat units. 

But the "dog days of summer" never got off the porch. Below normal temps in August and September brought total GDU's back to the norm.  

In hindsight, this was a blessing as the four week flash drought from mid July to mid August could have seriously reduced yield if coupled with excessive heat.

All in all, this growing season was pretty normal.  

A little too wet some days, a little too dry at times, one month above average temps and the next below. 

The upcoming weeks will answer how well we played our "crop management cards."

Nature dealt us a good hand. We will know who to blame if yields disappoint.

I'll update you again in October. 

 Jim