CROP CONDITIONS - 2015

 [Update: 7/24/15] -- I am surprised to see that the June 12th frost event (28 degrees) has hurt the winter wheat on the low ground.  I hadn't expected damage since frost was past the bloom period.  The winter wheat test wt. is reversed from normal years.  56#/bu in the low land which is where we have the best moisture, and 60.5#/bu on the hilltops where we have the least moisture.  The 3 weeks of 100+ degree heat has left it's mark as well.  The mid-November temperature drop/wind event, set the winter wheat up for significant yield loss when frost and heat is added to the mix.
[Update: 7/5/15] --All of the crops in the area are taking a beating from the late frost and heat.  I'm hearing reports of combines in the fields around Spangle --Not Good!  The winter wheat seems to holding up the best.  There will be some shriveled kernels.  Our peas are severely damaged.  I would like to leave large areas unharvested to retain the residue; however, I'm sure the insurance company will require harvesting what crop may be out there.  The jury is out yet on the billy beans, spring wheat, and spring barley, although there is little doubt that yields are being reduced daily.  In the future we may want to push the envelope for early seeding if this heat is going to be the norm.  Our ULD system and heavy residue mat is doing it's job in capturing and saving moisture, but may not be enough to withstand heat this early in the season with a normal seeding date.  I'm observing crops shutting down prematurely. 
     We have been experiencing record and near record heat for the past week and can expect more in the week to come.  All of our crops are showing the effects.  Today we reached 107 at our recording station on the hill, and 111 in the shade of our deck.  I expect we will be harvesting winter wheat by the 20th (maybe earlier) of July.  Rarely do we start before July 29th.  The June 12 frost damaged the spring wheat, spring peas and billy beans.  With no significant rain since the 12th of May, this heat wave is taking it's toll on these crops, as well as our spring barley which did not have frost damage.  The winter wheat appears OK, but I am hearing about grain shrivel.
     Our crops were all seeded in April with the CrossSlot drill.  We had excellent ground cover when seeded.  Will the extra moisture saved through direct seeding into a heavy residue mulch help bring these crops to maturity in better condition than crops planted by a standard cultivation systems.