New Kansas Mesonet tool for estimating wheat growth stage
Winter wheat in Kansas is beginning to break dormancy. The Kansas Mesonet has introduced a new tool to help track the wheat crop development. Learn how to access this new resource and how to best use it's many features.
Estimating western corn rootworm egg hatch and adult emergence
Degree-day models are useful tools for estimating the development of different insects, allowing us to predict when potential pests might begin to impact a crop. For the Western Corn Rootworm, degree-day calculations can be used to determine the onset of egg hatch in an area, peak egg hatch, and the timing of adult emergence.
Update on soil conditions and growing degree days this spring
The first half of April means that planters in some areas of Kansas have started rolling out. This article looks at soil temperatures, soil moisture, and growing degree day accumulation for the year. The upcoming forecast for Kansas is also presented.
Drought soil moisture spring planting soil temperature growing degree days
Growing season weather summary: Evapotranspiration and growing degree days
Last week, we examined the 2023 growing season compared to 2022 regarding temperature and precipitation differences. This article takes a closer look at the growing season to date and considers additional variables such as evapotranspiration (ET) and growing degree days.
Start monitoring alfalfa weevils using degree days and scouting
Degree day accumulations for Kansas alfalfa weevils are well ahead of normal for the entire state this year. A similar trend occurred in 2023. Scouting for weevil activity should be conducted right now in all regions of the state.
Too cool too soon? Finishing up grain sorghum before the first freeze
Cooler-than-average weather may have slowed sorghum development in parts of Kansas. This article explains how growing degree unit accumulation impacts crop progress, and what it means for sorghum maturity and freeze risk this fall.
grain sorghum crop development growing degree days first freeze
Arctic cotton: Will there be enough heat units to finish the Kansas cotton crop?
Cooler-than-normal conditions have slowed growing degree unit accumulation for Kansas cotton. Learn how planting dates, regional differences, and remaining heat units could impact crop maturity this fall.