Updated April 25, 2024. Weather station data is always calibrated, verified and adjustments made to recorded temps which is why measurements can change slightly over time.
Growing Degree Days (GDD) is a thermal, time measurement that allows us to track the intervening time between critical growth stages. GDD is calculated by taking the average of the high and low temperature in C for each day with a base temperature of 0 C. ( temperatures calculated below 0 do not count)
We will track GDD accumulation beginning in January throughout the season. Green up usually begins after an accumulation of 250 -300 GDD. (Usually by Mid April), Zadoks 30 is beginning of stem elongation the point at which the plant needs nitrogen, often occurs with 250+ GDD. On early planted wheat ( before September 15) some fields are in Zadoks 31 to 32 ideal timing for a PGR application to fields in high risk of lodging (>55- 70 heads per sq ft) . It does not matter how tall or how green a crop is, what matters is the growth stage to direct the next management steps. Need help staging the crop reach out to our Crop Specialists for assistance