Long range weather forecasting is a critical element in crop production, and the accuracy of those forecasts is improving.
That was pointed out during a panel discussion of weather at last week’s Governors Ag Summit in Brookings.

Eric Snodgrass is Director of undergrad studies at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois.
He says the numbers show that last winter was a mild one….

Snodgrass says they are looking at frost free days in the state, which are expanding…..

Snodgrass says from that and other information, they are looking for a warmer than normal summer, but the timing will be critical for crop production…..

Snodgrass says they have also found that the timing of rain has been more important than the amounts.