55 Years And Counting From The Tractor Seat

By Bill Whitman 

I caught myself telling a neighbor that if the weather runs true to normal we can expect to be in the field by April 10. Then I thought about what normal means since I can’t remember a normal year for the past 30 years. Whether global warming, pollution, or simply a change in weather cycles it still leaves us having to factor in changes to how we plan our work. 

Especially during the last five years, the frustration level for me has been off the charts. For a while I was using three of the supposedly best forecast tools only to be disappointed time after time and having to adjust plans based on changes in the weather or timing of expected changes. Today, more than any other time, it is essential that we have the most accurate information available to help us get our work done. Getting the work done when margins are so thin and depend on the accomplishment of often a significant amount of work in a limited window. How many times has the weather caught you off guard when you counted on the local radio/TV forecast? It’s a question deserving an honest answer. 

I fully expect the major GPS farm management programs, at least the big three to integrate a weather forecast program as part of their subscriptions. Becks Hybrids already provides a limited weather program as part of their FARMserver program for their customers. Their use of the Clarity program has been very popular among those farmers that use it. I’m guessing that Starfire, Trimble,  AgLeader will be introducing something similar in the very near future. I’m sure we can all see the value of having a weather service providing current and future weather information on our application, planting, harvesting screens. 

In 2025, it is going to be important that we find a way to get weather information daily that we can rely on. I’m reminded that in 2019 in June the whole area of my part of Indiana was trying to get hay mowed and put up in a 4 day window that all the weather models were showing as the day started. I had mowed 5-6 acres and heard something on the radio that mentioned rain the next day. We got it too, 5-6 inches over the next 3 days. Did I hear one apology or one explanation? No, every channel acted like it was the rain that had been forecast coming in faster than expected. I lost 5-6 acres of quality hay and our neighborhood lost a great deal more. 

So how do we prepare to work with the weather in 2025? First, I suggest that you find the very best weather forecast program you can afford. Next, get very familiar with the program so you can best apply it to your work. I would further suggest to our younger generation of farmers that you learn at least the basics of weather so that you can look at the weather patterns yourself and not take what a programed weather forecast tells you for gospel since these forecasts are very regional and when you’re on the line (as it seems we always are) you can often see something that will change the way you’ll work that day. 

My wife says that God made the weather unpredictable so we would have another reason to trust Him.

IndianaAg@bluemarble.net