Battle for the Belt: Episode 3

Episode 3 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbj62wuyr-4

In Episode 3, Dr. Aaron Wilson, OSU Extension Ag Weather & Climate Field Specialist, provides a look at this week’s weather along with a season-long weather overview for 2023.

The Battle for the Belt project aims to look at five planting date windows, from ultra-early (late March/early April) to Very late (mid to late June). Will we plant corn and soybeans this week or next week?

Unfortunately, wet weather returned in earnest last week, and the outlook shows a continued wet pattern that will add more rainfall to already saturated fields across the state into early April . Temperatures are also forecasted to remain cool (daily average temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Last week at the Western Agricultural Research Station in Clark County, air temperatures averaged 41°F while the 2-inch soil temperature was 42°F (CFAES Weather Station). At our northern trial locations (Wood County and Wayne County), the average air temperature last week was 40-41°F with 2-inch soil temperature averaging 39°F. These are not the best planting conditions for either crop but for the objectives of this project, we are planning to plant corn and soybean as soon as soil moisture conditions allow us to be with the tractor and planter in the field.

Overall, air temperatures for late March and early April (March 27-April 2) in Ohio are predicted to be in the range of low 30s to upper 50s, depending on where in the state (North vs. South). As far as precipitation for the same period, most of Ohio is leaning toward wetter than average conditions. For the month of April as a whole, Ohio is leaning toward above average temperatures with the northern half of the state leaning toward above average precipitation for the month. Similar conditions are currently projected for April through June), which may challenge the progress of planting this season.

This is all for now, but keep following ‘Battle for the Belt’ this growing season to learn more and get further updates! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel.