Weekly Ag Update

By ned birkey

msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS

SPARTAN AG 

 The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s outlook through Feb. 3 calls for “very likely below” normal outlook for temperature and precipitation.  The February-March-April seasonal outlook for the upper Midwest is leaning to a normal outlook for temperature and above normal outlook for precipitation.  Farther out, the May-June-July outlook is leaning above normal temperature and equal chances for normal outlook for precipitation.

The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) recently issued a very rare G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm watch for Jan. 20. A G4 geomagnetic storm may degrade satellite navigation for some hours and disrupt low-frequency radio navigation. But given this is January and not the middle of spring planting for example, this storm had a negligible effect on U.S. farms.

A look at recent history shows the impact of a geomagnetic storm could well be more significant during the crop season. On May 10, 2024, a powerful geomagnetic storm affected the U.S., smack in the middle of planting. That storm caused “mass global navigation satellite system outages leading to an assumed $565 million in losses for Midwestern crop producers.”

The sun is the main source of space weather. Radio emissions, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and solar flares are some of the causes of geomagnetic storms. These can disrupt communications, the power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations for minutes, to hours or days at a time. A complete loss of signal lock by the GPS receiver due to extreme noise from the upper atmosphere (primarily nighttime) can result in no location data for an interval of time. Like a thunderstorm, farmers can only manage their systems through GPS-battering geomagnetic storms. Newer positioning systems that lock onto multiple satellite constellations are little or not affected by solar storms.

With older navigation systems, farmers may bring a stop to fieldwork or, like grandpa did, grab the steering wheel and just plow through, accepting crooked rows and any planting and data collection inaccuracies that follow. But without GPS, the as-planted data (as-sprayed, as-fertilized) cannot be logged onto a map or georeferenced. Interested persons can sign up for space weather alerts/watches/warnings at the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. If an issue is noticed with the GPS systems, look at the NOAA alerts or the Navigation Centers civilian GPS outage reports to determine whether the source is environmental or a hardware problem.

Marketing Success is NOT about timing the market perfectly. Farmers have only one chance to hit the high (or low) price, but two chances to hit all other prices.  Agriculture is often defined by volatility and change but also depends on planning, perspective and partnership. Maintaining a strong relationship with a lender that understands agriculture helps farmers make informed decisions that support their short-term and long-term goals.

As farmers prepare for 2026, a disciplined and proactive approach will be essential. Penciling out and keeping costs low and under control remains a top priority. Tighter margins make it more important than ever to closely review operating expenses and identify opportunities for efficiency. Planning the financial budget well ahead of the production cycle can help reduce uncertainty, strengthen cash flow and provide flexibility as market conditions evolve. Strategic use of risk management tools – such as crop insurance and thoughtful marketing strategies – can also help protect against volatility. Hitting the highest price of the year is not a reasonable goal. There are other tools to help achieve high relative prices, usually with the help of someone off the farm with the time and experience to objectively watch the markets.

MSU “Agronomy Day” in southeast Michigan will be for both field crop and vegetable farmers on Feb. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.at the Old Mill Museum, Dundee. Farmers can register now by calling Chris Galbraith at 734-240-3178 or Madelyn Celovsky at 517-768-2048. New this year in the afternoon will feature two concurrent sessions, one session on corn, soybean and wheat production topics and the other session with vegetable production topics. This event and lunch are free, but space is limited so please register ahead. 4 RUP and 6 CCA CEUs will be available.

Outdoor and Gardening Benefits of Snow Winter snow may feel like a nuisance, but it’s surprisingly useful. From lightening pancake batter to protecting garden plants and easing inflammation, snow has practical benefits indoors and out. Snow is an insulator that keeps plants and even water from freezing. Apple growers will use wind or irrigation water to protect fruit from freezing. Snow is great for gardens and called “poor man’s fertilizer.” Soil that’s insulated by a blanket of snow can stay close to 32°F even when the air temperature plunges below zero, which can protect leftover root crops. In a brief winter warm spell, snow’s insulation works the other way: It can keep the soil from warming up so plants aren’t tricked into sprouting too soon.

Snow protects plants from drying winter winds, especially semi-hardy plants such as bigleaf hydrangeas. In spring, melting snow provides moisture to plants’ roots as the plants are coming out of dormancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to eat snow?  Only eat clean, freshly fallen snow away from roads, roofs, and animals. Avoid old or discolored snow.

Can snow really insulate plants? Yes. Snow traps air, keeping soil temperatures near freezing even in extreme cold, which protects plant roots.

Can snow be used instead of ice for injuries? Yes, but always wrap snow in a cloth to prevent frostbite. Apply for no more than 10 minutes at a time.

Does snow help gardens in spring? Absolutely. Melting snow slowly releases moisture into the soil just as plants wake from dormancy.