WEEKLY AG UPDATE By ned birkey msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS SPARTAN AG The agricultural weather from the National Weather Service Climate Predication Center (CPC) to Nov. 17 for our area of the Midwest, is calling for a forecast of likely above normal temperatures, and likely below normal outlook for precipitation. Eric Snodgrass, of Nutrient Ag Solutions, said October was between the 92nd to 116th driest October of the past 134 years and the 6th through 11th warmest month, depending on the exact climate district of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana or Illinois. The updated official 30-day forecast for November is above normal temperatures and normal to below normal precipitation as El Niño is here. Any talk of a Polar Vortex is gone. His latest Drought Monitor map shows no forecast for drought for November 2026 through January 2027, though we will still get some cold weather and snow. We still have not had a killing frost yet in southeast Michigan, which is defined as 28ºF or less for more than two hours. Cornstalk lodging can be a concern with dry grain, warm temperatures and windy conditions. One fear of farmers is windy conditions just prior to harvest, which can lead to down plants, maybe moldy ears, combine snafus and a frustrating driving-one-way end of the season. Stalk strength is one variety rating factor that seed company literature gives to help with next year’s selection. Some newer varieties are also shorter and wheat varieties as listed by height can also help if straw bales are a part of wheat income, but soybeans are not rated as such. Soil fertility also has an effect on stalk quality, especially low potassium levels. November is a great time to do soil testing, soybean cyst nematode testing, winter meeting planning, settling up on custom farm work, land leasing and cash rents. It is also time for end of the year tax planning, and the IRS Publication 225 (Farmers Tax Guide) is typically released by the IRS in November. Hard copies are normally available in December, or the Guide can be downloaded directly from the IRS Forms and Publications Page. Last year the online pub was posted on Nov. 7. Thanksgiving traces back to early harvest celebrations and a 19th century campaign to create a unifying national holiday. President George Washington issued a proclamation designating Nov. 26, 1789, as a National Day of Prayer and thanks to celebrate the new U.S. Constitution. In 1863 President Abraham Lincolns issued a national proclamation in October, setting the final Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving and healing. Congress later passed a law calling for Thanksgiving to be the fourth Thursday in November, which can range from Nov. 22 to 28. |
