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Kentucky's December Weather-Related
Ag. Operations Calendar


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WINTER WEATHER-RELATED FARM ACTIVITIES:
Agricultural parameters important during the late Fall....Winter...and early Spring months....basically, non-growing season parameters. The non-growing season can be very busy for most farmers in Kentucky...especially since many producers have full and part-time jobs off the farm. Therefore, windows of opportunity are extremely important to get non-growing season activities completed and prepared for Spring. Listed below are some of the weather-related farm activities Kentucky farmers will be concerned with moving into and through the winter. The UK Agricultural Weather Center will continue to modify this information in the coming weeks./ktp

December General Winter Operations
Outdoor Working Conditions Quick changes in Kentucky weather...especially temperature conditions are important to producers who are out in the weather when most people aren't. Having early knowledge of these quick changes ahead of time...allows them to be prepared to not only respond but also be pro-active to these changes. Some may be just in maintaining adequate clothing for themselves.
Field Activities Field activities vary during the non-growing season from feeding livestock completing harvest of corn/soybeans in some year to working fields in preparation for spring. Short periods of rainy weather provide interruptions to getting in the field. Extended wet periods make for a muddy mess and make even the minor farm/field activities postponed. Lengthy dry periods are particularly important for fields to dry out.
Grain Bin Management The key in grain bin management is to get moisture out of the bin without adding to much or to litte heat. Significant changes in daily air temperatures and, just as important, dewpoint temperature are extreme important for grian bin management. On dry days, grain bin fans pump moisture out of bins but producers need to maintain a bin core temperature very close to the monthly average temperature.
Equipment Maintanence Extended wet, or extreme cold weather periods are good times to schedule equipment maintenance.
Livestock Management
And
Cold Stress		 During periods of extended cold outbreaks (cP air) especially during windy conditions providing serious wind chill (less than zero (F).... livestock must have access to windbreaks....unfrozen water....extra dry bedding...access to dry, clean shelter. This is especially true for very young (newborn) and old livestock.
Field Trafficability Can producers get into the field if needed. Also...barnlot conditions are importment. Big snows or extended period of above normal liq. precip with above freezing temperatures makes fields and barnlots a muddy mess and impossible to move equipment on. If this occurs producers are then looking to lengthy dry weather to dry out fields/barnlots.
Soil Temperatures Typically during the extended cold weather, if soils are wet or snowcovered soil temperatures stay right around 32 degrees.
Replanting Conditions
  • Very wet conditions...a week or 2 with above normal lig. precip and soils become saturated....causes serious problems with winter wheat and barley stands.

  • Extremely cold temperatures (cP) air after a very mild (5 to 10 degrees above normal) period can do serious damage to stands of winter wheat and barley. However... snowcover reduces this damage. The more snowcover the better!

  • Several days of undulating temperatures...above and below freezing can do serious damage to winter wheat and barley stands. The freeze/thaw cycle can cause heaving of the plants.
    • Pasture Management pasture renovation....
    Heads-Up Concerning Outlooks Daily update of the 6 to 10 day outlook and 8 to 14 day outlook.




    Quick Menu: General Farm Operations

    December Beef Operations
    (from the Beef Integrated Resource Management Calendar)
    Spring Calving Herd
  • Begin winter feeding.
    • Fall Calving Herd
  • Breeding season continues.
    • All Cattle ---------------------
    Forages
  • Continue utilization of stockpiled tall fescue and crop residues as available.

  • Continue testing hay for nutrient content.

  • Begin hay feeding, minimize wastage.




    • Ag Weather Center, Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky