The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
What a change of weather Foster County experienced from the beginning to the end of October.
We started the month with a near record high of 89 degrees on Oct. 1, and temperatures remained warmer than normal for most of the next three weeks.
Everything changed when a weather system arrived on Oct. 24, bringing snow and cold to our area. The Carrington REC received 11 inches of snow, and the mercury plummeted to a near record low of three degrees on Oct. 31.
Most soybeans had been harvested by the time bad weather arrived, but quite a lot of corn was still in the field.
Farmers had to wait a week or more before they could begin harvesting again. If they started when the plants still had snow on them, there was risk of plugging combines with ice.
Although it likely caused little damage to the corn crop, the storm made harvest much more difficult. Fields and roads became very soft, making the transport of grain from the field to storage a challenge.
The good news is that no major storms are in the forecast through mid-November.
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Sometimes I wonder what it was like to live before the existence of modern weather forecasting, when there was no advance notice of impending storms. Thankfully, most storms are now publicized well ahead of time.
Here is a reminder of what the National Weather Service means when they issue winter weather statements.
A watch indicates that winter storm conditions are possible in the next 36 to 48 hours. Prepare now!
A warning indicates that life-threatening severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Act now!
An advisory indicates that weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. Be cautious!
The National Weather Service urges us not to focus too much on exact numbers when you hear a storm forecast. Instead, the focus should be on preparing for the full range of possibilities that might happen.
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Do you have a plan for transitioning your farm or ranch to the next generation?
Getting started can be the most difficult part of the planning process. That’s why my coworker, Donna Anderson, and I are offering the program Design Your Succession Plan to area residents in early December.
This program is for families who want to shape the future ownership of their family farm or ranch.
Design Your Succession Plan aims to help participants explore what they want for their operation, how to discuss their hopes with their family and how to get started creating a succession plan.
Recommendations are also given that will help participants choose and prepare to work with professionals who can make the plan legal and viable.
Design Your Succession Plan will be held at the Carrington REC from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 5, 7 and 12.
There is a cost for this workshop, and pre-registration is required.
For more information or to register, please contact us in the Foster County Extension office (652-2581, jeff.gale@ndsu.edu).
