ISU Extension providing farmers with valuable climate data

by | May 3, 2024 | 5 Ag Stories, News

All sectors of the Iowa ag industry have been reeling from drought issues for 200 weeks now, and while we are trending in the right direction, the drought won’t be ending overnight. With such intense rainfall deficits in many parts of the state, farmers need guidance on how to work within the current climate. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recently hired Madelynn Wuestenberg as its new agricultural climatology specialist in order to help guide farmers with data and information on Iowa’s climate patterns.

With the warm winter we had, the soil profiles are open to retain a good amount of moisture. While the long-term drought is still a large issue, Wuestenberg said that, fortunately, the short-term moisture has been very kind.

Wuestenberg said the Pacific trade winds that are taking us into ENSO-neutral currently will also take us into La Nina later this summer.

Wuestenberg added that, while the short-term planting delays are bothersome, it’s important that we get those soil water reserves filled back up.

You can get weather and climate updates by following Wuestenberg (@maddy_climate) on X.