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Weather and Farming
10/31/2002
Ron F. Meyer
Area Extension Agent
(Agronomy)
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
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The 2002 growing season is one that will “live in
infamy” in Eastern Colorado. Clearly, as we progressed through last
summer’s hot days, we began to understand agriculture in this season would
be much different than the others. The 2002-growing season began both dryer
than normal and without the benefit of subsoil moisture. And as the growing
season continued, conditions became even worse. The month of January recorded
0.09 inch of moisture from a remote weather station located east of Burlington,
CO, while February recorded no measurable precipitation. The month of March
continued and left us with 0.06 inch of moisture. April recorded 0.70 inch.
These low moisture levels, while alarming for agricultural producers, did not
necessarily signal devastation, as the majority of Eastern Colorado High Plains
rainfall typically occurs from May through August.
The month of May,
however, arrived and left with only 0.43 inch recorded, and the summer heat was
beginning to arrive. From a plant’s perspective, as air temperatures
increase, plant water-use increases in an effort to both keep cool and keep the
photosynthetic process operational. When soil moisture levels are depleted,
photosynthesis ceases and plants wither and die.
The month of June
received 1.8 inches, the largest monthly accumulation for the year. However, as
a result of the hot and dry conditions, potential wheat water-use for the month
was approximately 8 inches and subsoil moisture that is normally banked from
previous precipitation events, did not exist.
July was hotter and dryer,
recording only 0.11 inch of rainfall. During that month, potential corn water
need was approximately 9 inches.
August conditions were somewhat
improved with 1.49 inches of rainfall recorded. While this precipitation
allowed many producers to plant wheat into moist topsoil, it arrived much too
late to benefit spring planted dryland crops, most of which had died by early
July.
While precipitation during the growing season was much below
normal, (3.83 inches from May - Aug.) air temperatures were much above normal.
As air temperatures increase, water needed to cool and grow plants also
increases and is measured by a term referred to as evapo-transpiration or
ET.
Average air temperatures from May, June, July, and August were 58.7,
75.4, 77, and 73ºF, respectively. Normals are 58, 70, 74, and 74ºF.
June and July recorded an unprecedented 5.4 and 3 degrees F. per day higher air
temperatures than normal, respectively.
In addition, the months of May
through August recorded 54 days above 90ºF, with a high of 105.7 on a hot
June day.
As a result of higher than normal air temperatures, potential
ET rates for crops such as corn and wheat totaled 27 and 17 inches,
respectively, leaving a large gap from the 4.89 inches of moisture received
from January through September.
The fact is, near Burlington, Colorado,
it had not been this dry in 111 years, which is as far back as recorded
measurements exist. Precipitation records dating back to 1891 suggest 2002 was
the driest on record. Further, researchers who study tree ring data from the
South Platte River basin state that 2002 could be the driest year since
1703.
Recorded previous dry years include 1934, 1954, 1964, and 1975
receiving 7.7, 6.18, 8.52, and 7.21 inches, respectively.
Many Colorado
agricultural producers are adopting coping strategies in efforts to survive the
above-mentioned weather pattern. A recent survey indicated that 90% of Colorado
sunflower (a drought tolerant crop) was planted using no-till or reduced-till
methods. It is noticed that similar planting methods are employed for dryland
corn production in Eastern Colorado. Research has shown soil moisture savings
from reduced tillage strategies. Further advancements in biotechnology are now
allowing producers to control weeds in-crop without tillage.
As plans
for the next growing season progress this winter, Colorado Farmers and Ranchers
are hoping for a much less stressful summer, but using lessons
learned.
2002 Growing Season
Precipitation - Burlington, Colorado
2002 Growing Season Air
Temperatures - Burlington, Colorado
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Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
1/16/2003 |
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