Weekly Ag Update

 By ned birkey

msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS

SPARTAN AG

 Does spring hinge on the weather coming into March like a “lion or a lamb?” Is that saying as accurate as Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast? Regardless, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s 8-to-14-day outlook through March 10 is calling for very likely much above normal temperature and leaning to likely above normal precipitation. The U. S. Drought Monitor, updated Feb. 17, 2026, and compared to November 25, 2025. now shows no droughty areas of the upper Midwest.

Eric Snodgrass, of Nutrien Ag Solutions, this week was wondering why La Niña is collapsing faster than usual. Will this translate into a generally wetter summer for the Midwest? He doesn’t think this is likely.  He also says the computer models he currently uses differ in their spring outlook for April and May so definitively predicting spring weather at this time is a “Fool’s errand.”

Farm safety becomes important now that March is here and farmers race to throw open the barn doors and get the tractors out in the fields. Special precautions must be taken when moving tractors and equipment on public roadways. Most agricultural equipment travels at less than 25 mph, while other motor vehicles travel at much higher speeds, and motorists underestimate the braking time needed to avoid a collision. A slow-moving emblem (SMV) is required on the back of all tractors, towed implements, and self-propelled implements, as well as lighting and marking of farm equipment that travels on public roadways.

The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health recommends the following strategies to help reduce exposure to vibration: 

Equipment maintenance – Keep equipment in good working order, including proper inflation of tires and timely replacement of worn components. 

Seating – Use a well-maintained seat with appropriate suspension and adjust it to fit the operator. Replace damaged or worn seat cushions and suspension systems. 

Posture – Maintain a neutral posture while operating equipment and try to minimize leaning forward when driving a tractor.

Terrain and speed – Slow down when traveling over rough or uneven terrain to reduce the amount of vibration transmitted to the operator.

Breaks – Take a two-three minute break every 30 minutes, when possible, to give your body time to recover from vibration exposure, incorporating short movement or stretch breaks into farming tasks can improve productivity and reduce downtime. Research consistently shows that scheduled breaks help prevent fatigue, reduce injury risk, and help workers stay efficient and alert throughout the day.

Farm leases details are being finalized now or even changing at the last minute.   All landowners, especially absentee landowners, seem to want to know is what the average cash rent is in their county. For good or bad, there is a USDA average cash rent for every county, borough or parish in the U.S. For example, the average cash rent for Monroe County, Mich., in 2025 was $164 per acre, higher for irrigated vegetables. However, there can be 50 reasons the rent could be higher than the average, or 50 reasons it could be lower. A current soil test (or lack thereof) answers part of this uncertainty and negotiation. Other points can include, who pays for lime or fence or drainage tile repairs? Who mows the weeds down in ditches, roadsides, property borders? Are there troublesome “city” neighbors or kids with 4-wheelers? The Midwest Plan Service out of Iowa State University has sample lease forms for every type of lease – cash, crop share, building, pasture, etc.  Sometimes neglected is putting an ending date in the lease so there is no confusion about when the lease expires. Always insist on a written lease, not because you don’t trust the other party, but because it is a good business practice. Then everyone knows the terms, especially if one party passes away during the lease, then the heirs know the terms.

Seeding mats will help indoor seeds to sprout faster and grow stronger right from the start. Seedling heat mats are an easy, affordable alternative to a (heated) greenhouse. By providing gentle bottom heat, these warming pads help seeds germinate more quickly and evenly, giving warm weather crops a nice head start. Anyone who enjoys the comfort of heated car seats already understands the magic of warmth from below – and your seedlings feel the same way.

Seedling heat mats are waterproof, rubberized pads that you place under your seed flats or pots. The mats are waterproof, so there are no electrical worries when watering plant trays. Several layers of plastic are heat-bonded over strong heating wire. They increase the temperature of the soil by 5° to 10°F so seeds germinate faster. As important is that seeds germinate better with less uneven rates, and plants end up being healthy with such consistent warmth. Heat mats especially benefit warm-weather vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, giving them a chance to grow past the seedling stage before being transplanted outside.