HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-03-18, Page 59El Nino conditions could be good
for spring crops and winter wheat
by Scott Hllgendor(t
urrent El Nino -induced weather conditions should
actually be good for this spring's crops and winter
wheat.
"The rainfall will be good for it," said Brian Hall and
soil and crop advisor for the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Several centimetres of rain fell across the
region between March 9 and March
10, marking an end to possibly
record setting dry weather in
February.
Environment Canada
reports only a trace of pre-
cipitation in the region during
February.
That had left the water table "fair-
ly low," said Hall.
But the recent rains are expected to
replenish what was lost in February.
What would be bad now is if the sudden cold snap of
March 10 was to last for extended period of time.
That would hurt the winter wheat crop that, as of last
week, was expe riencing some growth.
Hall said tt,e wheat crop had experienced some
growth in January and it broke dormancy again in mid-
February.
That's when Environment Canada reported tempera-
tures about four degrees warmer than normal.
The true test for the winter wheat crop will come in
the next month.
Right now, Hall said, "The winter wheat that's out in
the fields looks pretty good."
If there are consistently cold days, below normal tem-
peratures, it could cause the wheat some
problems.
The lack of snow could have
caused a problem the wheat it
February temperatures were clos-
er to normal. A blanket of snow
helps protect the wheat from
'the cold temperatures
Fortunately. while El
Nino did not give us snow. it
also did not produce cold weather.
• Environment Canada is still expecting
above normal temperatures, influenced by El
Nino.
The unusual weather effects telt across the world arc
having little effect on the local crops and Hall expects a
normal season.
If we hadn't received extra rain at the beginning of
March, Hall said the water table could have been low
enough'to affect the growth of spring and summer crops.
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