Growing Degree Days and their use in Agriculture

As the growing season continues to move forward it is now time to start looking at some of the data that will be important when planning in-season activities. One of the data sets that all growers watch is Growing Degree Days (GDD), aka Heat Units.

GDD's the total amount of heat required, between the lower and upper thresholds, for an organism to develop from one point to another in its life cycle. Tracking this data assists in application timing and, more importantly maturity of the crop to determine harvest timing.

In a laboratory, calculating this value with a constant temperature is very straightforward; however, calculating this in nature with the myriad of temperature fluctuations is a bit more involved. This has led scientists to develop more than one method in obtaining the value of heat units. These are, from the simplest to most complex mathematically; single triangle, double triangle, single sine, double sine, and Huber's. There is a good post regarding these methods and calculations at the University of California IPM Site.

There are many uses outside of Agriculture for Heat Units, but we are going to focus on their use in farming.

Got Weather Data?

All of us in the business of agriculture know full well the phrase, "at the mercy of the elements"; aka weather

Especially farmers.

We also know full well that this major puzzle piece cannot be controlled and usually is the "one nail sticking up that hangs up your extension cord"; aka Murphy's Law.

And we all love Murphy until he becomes a "team member".

So what can we do to mitigate the risks associated with inclement weather?

Get in the Zone with Zone Maker

Now that we have covered the backbone of AgFleet, Data Manager, let's dig into the Zone Maker module. The very first question you should be asking in terms of the Zone Maker module is why? Why create zones in my fields? The answer: Economics. Take a look at the field below. By creating these management zones you are able to reduce input costs, labor costs, as well as increase your bottom line.

AgFleet Introduction_Data Manager Module

Now that the 2009 #harvest season is behind us here in the United States, producers and #ag folks that support producers are feverishly planning for the upcoming 2010 season.

As every farmer knows full well, the 2010 season has basically begun, for some last summer! Field information is being tabulated and evaluated, yield history, crop rotation history, fertilization records, marketing information, financials, equipment performance, and overall farm information is, simultaneously, being "closed out" and "opened".

At ZedX we understand and appreciate the complex and inter-connected relationships that a farmer deals with day-in day-out. We strive to deliver value to the farmer first and foremost. All of us in the business of agriculture are successful when we help make the farmer successful. We take this mantra very seriously at ZedX and have leveraged this philosophy in the design of our products and services. There is a quantifiable value in our products and services that each participant in the agri-supply chain can benefit from.