GDDs May 23, 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). 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 to assess harvestability. See: Climate Smart Farming Growing Degree Day Calculator
Afternoon thundershowers are in the forecast for most of the rest of this week. Temperatures hit their targets for last week, and we are right around the 15/30 year normals (some locations slightly higher).
Soil temperatures are above 60 and we're past the average date of the last spring frost (and close to latest-recorded frosts in many locations), so think about planting your warm-season forages if they are in your plans this season:
Dairy
Livestock
Forages
Grains
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