Daily agricultural tasks, such as winter sowing, are constantly influenced by unpredictable weather conditions. How can using connected weather technology serve as an invaluable asset for farmers in these situations?
Unsuitable conditions when sowing winter cereals can have a significant impact on the crop. Risks linked to weather conditions include early frosts, excessive rain and dry soil.
Early frosts are a particular concern, which can occur in late autumn or early winter. They can freeze newly planted seeds, delaying or preventing their germination. In addition, they can damage young plants already emerging from the ground, compromising their growth.
Excessive rain can also be a problem. Soggy soil can make it difficult for roots to absorb essential nutrients, hindering plant growth. Additionally, saturated soil can cause seeds to rot. Winter cereals require well-drained soil. It is therefore essential to avoid excessive precipitation when sowing.
On the other hand, soil that is too dry can slow the germination and growth of winter grains. When the soil lacks moisture, seeds may take longer to germinate, and young plants may suffer from water stress. Dry conditions can also reduce crop quality by limiting ear development.
The choice of a sowing date is firstly based on the variety planted. Generally, cereals that are planted early are late varieties. It is therefore necessary to take into
account the rising date and the 1cm ear stage to minimise the risk of ear frost. On the other hand, for later sowing, early varieties will be used. The plant cycle is then shorter.
The choice of the sowing date also depends on the geographical area, as climatic conditions can vary greatly.
Ultimately, you should conduct sowing when the weather is at its best: soil should be adequately drained but not excessively dry, with no expectation of severe drought or imminent heavy precipitation.
Faced with these unpredictable weather conditions, farmers must constantly assess risks and make informed decisions. This is where connected weather becomes an invaluable resource. By providing timely weather data, real reliable weather forecasts or even personalised alerts, Connected weather offers farmers the reassurance to strategise their planting while mitigating potential threats.
Sencrop application
The climatic conditions at the start of autumn 2023 were disruptive, illustrating once again the climate disruption we are facing. Heat peaks could be observed. These almost summerlike conditions prompted the start of wheat and barley sowing at the beginning of October.
Experts, however, highlight the risks of pest and weed pressure that could be caused by these conditions. Indeed, the beginning of October is a period of risks associated pests such as aphids and cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). In addition, early sowing offers more favourable weather conditions, but also accelerates the development of the plant, exposing it to the risk of frost.
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