GDDs May 9, 2021
Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist/Team Leader
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops
Growing degree days (GDD) are calculated by taking the average daily temperature and subtracting the base temperature for development of a given organism ((High + Low)/2 - base temp = GDD). See: Climate Smart Farming CSF Growing Degree Day Calculator. This spring, we are tracking GDD for general grass development (base 32) and alfalfa development (base 41) across our region as a way of monitoring the weather conditions that promote or inhibit growth (soon we will begin tracking GDD for corn silage). Always visually check forage development to assess harvestability.
This week we'll see high temps in the 60+ degree range, but the clear skies may push the high temperatures above forecasts. There could be a few showers here and there as well, but our region is forecast to be mostly rain-free through the weekend.
*Only Saratoga, Galway, Fultonville, and Cobleskill were reporting GDD for May 10. All others as of May 9.
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