USDA - Smoking and drinking - GDU Discussion?

[cornhead64]

I figured that would get all of your attention !! 

I know we are nearing the 100% emerged and all of that, but I thought I would do a little research on SW Minnesota, near Pipestone, MN that we farm.

Very wet spring here, and we were trading in our mid-90 day maturity corn for upper 80's t0 92-day.

Here are the troubling facts.  While the corn is green and growing (although not so much with mid-50's temp this morning) take a peak at the Historical GDUs to-date, 01/01 to yesterday:

Year            Amount

================

2006               806

2007               905

2008               539

2009               580

2010               800

2011               601

_______________

Ave                  707

While on the surface 2011 doesn't look bad compared to 2008, but we finished planting corn on 06/03 ...... yep June, so tell me while the conditions may be green (good to excellent rating), exactly what is the USDA doing with the yields and maturity data ?

PS, you can get the GDUs on wunderground.com, then on the left side after you choose your zip or city click history:

http://classic.wunderground.com/history/airport/KPQN/2011/1/1/CustomHistory.html?dayend=23&monthend=...

PSS what color is the Kool-Aid ?

[Nebrfarmr]

I finally got do travel around a little farther than I normally do today hauling some cattle for a friend, and I am amazed at how much small/young corn there is.  One of the local BTOs has several fields of corn that is only 4 inches tall or so today (June 24)  and there is a lot of it that is going to be late.  Personally, I planted corn within 3-4 days of normal, and I usually have half of it ridged for furrow irrigation by now, and I haven't even started yet, maybe middle of next week.  Normally by July 4, the pipes are carried out, and we are hoping for a rain so I don't have to irrigate over the holiday.  This year, I don't know if I'll be done ridging.  I am pretty sure we won't be needing any more rain before then.