The Fort Wayne Farm Show kicked off at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Tuesday. Hoosier Ag Today Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin started on the seminar stage discussing his early outlook for spring planting.
“Honestly, at this point, I don’t see major problems with spring planting because I don’t see gully washing rains right now, at least in the Feb-March time frame. When we warm up and the weather gets more volatile in April, sure, we’re going to see some heavier rains, but nothing that really causes major problems given our dry conditions so far. We actually need rain. We want rain, and we’re just not getting it.”
Martin joked that for farmers that like to go out and plant their beans in March, the forecast looks favorable.
“There may be a decent window early on in April because temperatures over the next three months, in my mind, are going to average above normal by a good 2 to 5 degrees on a monthly average. And if we do that, our soil moisture temperature levels are not going to be looking spectacular, but they’re definitely going to be above where we would normally see them. So, if you want to have a window of opportunity—maybe soil temperatures aren’t quite there, but the other four or five things that you need on the condition side are ready—I think you go.”
The Fort Wayne Farm Show continues Wednesday and Thursday at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Admission is free.
