The drought monitor as of Tuesday, Jan. 20 indicates continued marked improvement, with a sliver of moderately dry conditions in extreme Northwest Kansas. The NOAA outlook was unavailable but the forecast for now through Feb. 1 indicates below normal temperatures with slow warming during the week and not much of a chance for precipitation.
This is being written on Thursday. The weather forecast is for bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills below zero for the weekend with slow warming into next week. Depending on the storm track and model used up to six or more inches of snow. Starting sometime Friday afternoon into Saturday. Drivers and others aren’t thrilled with the snow but at least it will be a light fluffy snow as opposed to last Friday. While many aren’t thrilled, it does benefit agriculture more than simply covering wheat. So, what are these benefits?
• It does protect the wheat growing point below the soil surface. Snow is insulating and keeps the soil warmer, and it experiences less day/night temperature fluctuations. And a dry, fluffy snow is better at insulation than a wet snow. Especially with the warmer than normal winter so far, this should alleviate winterkill fears here. Northwest and North Central Kansas may have a little more to worry about as currently they are expecting little if any snowfall.
• Slowly melting snow is better able to infiltrate into the snow with less chance of runoff and we need all the moisture possible. And it will protect cool season crop above ground tissues. Winter canola, mostly planted in South Central Kansas has a growing point at the soil surface and the snow will help protect it. It will also help protect many native plants and some early spring flowers that in some areas have already started to grow.
• In general, we are expecting extreme cold starting Thursday night. If we receive three or more inches of snow that not only benefits the winter wheat crop but many native plants, bulbs and a variety of landscape plants. While helping to protect insect pests in the ground, it also protects beneficials.
In general, another factor that helps wheat and other plants survive the cold is the moisture received last week and in late fall. That soil moisture leaves the plant better positioned for preventing major cold damage. The cold should help put the brakes on the wheat crop and other plants, so they don’t break dormancy and start spring growth earlier.
Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.
