This podcast episode was recorded on January 17th, 2025, at the Practical Farmers of Iowa conference. The hosts, Dan Fillius, Justin Glisan, and Madelynn Wuestenberg, presented an annual review of Iowa's weather and its impact on specialty crops in 2024.

Weather Overview:

• 2024 was the 5th warmest year on record for Iowa
• The state experienced its second warmest winter
• Iowa received about 37 inches of precipitation, making it the 29th wettest year on record
• A record 125 tornadoes were recorded in 2024, with the Greenfield EF4 tornado being particularly severe

Crop Impacts:

• The warm winter led to better pest survival, affecting crops like tomatoes and sweet corn
• Early season rain made pest control challenging and disrupted planting schedules
• Aster yellows disease was widespread, affecting various crops including garlic, carrots, and flowers
• Onions were identified as the worst-performing crop statewide due to various issues
• Spring carrots and Lacinato kale were noted as the best-performing crops

Notable Weather Events:

• Drought conditions ended across Iowa after 200 consecutive weeks
• Extreme humidity was recorded on August 26-27, with dew points as high as 86°F
• Significant flooding occurred in northwest Iowa on June 22nd
• The hottest temperature recorded was 102°F in Little Sioux on June 24th
• The coldest temperature was -28°F in Primghar on January 14th

Pest and Disease Issues:

• Various mite species, including crown mites, broad mites, and cyclamen mites, were significant pests
• Aster yellows disease affected multiple crops across the state
• Carrot rust fly was noted as an issue for carrot growers

The episode concluded with a Q&A session addressing topics such as long-term climate predictions, sunspot activity, and recommendations for adapting to climate change in agriculture

• A system moving through tomorrow will bring snow to northern Iowa, with 1-2 inches expected north of Highway 20.
• Strong winds and colder air will follow.
• The 8-14 day outlook shows high confidence in above-average temperatures, potentially reaching the 40s.
• There's a slight chance of above-average precipitation, likely in liquid form due to warmer temperatures.

• December has been warming in recent years, with less snow and more mixed precipitation events.
• The beginning of December 2024 has been close to normal in temperature and slightly drier than average.

• An ice storm occurred on Friday, December 13th, affecting areas including Omaha, Des Moines, and Ames.
• The timing of the ice storm during evening commute in Omaha led to significant impacts.

• Predicting mixed precipitation (sleet, freezing rain) is particularly challenging due to the complexity of temperature profiles and freezing lines.
• Small changes in temperature or location can significantly affect the type of precipitation experienced.
• Latent heat release during phase transitions can complicate forecasts by warming surface air more quickly than anticipated.

• The conversation then shifts to discussing tornado climatology and the evolution of weather technology.
• The official tornado climatology database started in 1950.
• Early records (1950s-1970s) only noted tornado occurrences without ratings.
• In the mid-1970s, a project retroactively rated tornadoes from 1950 onwards using newspaper archives and photos
• The Fujita scale for rating tornadoes was introduced in the mid-1970s
• There's been an apparent increase in tornado numbers over time, largely due to improved detection and reporting methods

• Weather radar technology evolved from repurposed World War II equipment.
• The first dedicated weather radar network, WSR-57, was introduced in 1957.
• This was followed by WSR-74 in 1974, which came in different frequency bands (S-band and C-band)
• S-band radars (10 cm wavelength) are better at penetrating heavy precipitation, while C-band radars (5 cm wavelength) are more easily attenuated

• This Day in Iowa Weather History (1880)
  • Severe storm with hail, high winds, and snow
  • Earliest recorded blizzard in Iowa
• Current Weather Update
  • First frost and freeze for much of the region
  • Forecast: Sunny, warm days (60s-70s), cool nights (upper 30s-low 40s)
• Weather and Climate Notables
  • Driest 7-day period of the growing season
  • Recent aurora event visible in Iowa
• Vegetable Crop Year in Review
  • Garlic: Some Aster yellows phytoplasma cases
  • Sweet corn: Early earworm infestation
  • Peaches: Poor year, isolated crops due to winter damage
  • Onions: Root maggot and foliar disease issues
  • Cucurbits: Decent crop, some pest and disease pressures
  • Peppers and Tomatoes: Foliar diseases and pest issues
  • Brassicas: Some diseases, but low flea beetle pressure
  • Cut flowers: Thrips issues, Aster yellows affecting various flowers
  • Strawberries: Mixed results, some early frost damage but good yields for some growers
• Predicting Frost and Analyzing Weather Models
  • Discussion on using various tools to predict frost events
  • Importance of looking at multiple models and data points
  • Dew point's role in predicting frost
• Resources for Growers
  • Climate Prediction Center models
  • National Weather Service frost information page
  • Weather stories from local forecast offices
• Conclusion
  • Last weekly episode of the season
  • Moving to monthly episodes with special features

Summary generated by Claude.ai

• Historical weather event: Unusually early snowfall in parts of Iowa on October 10, 2009.
• Current forecast: Dry conditions with chances of frost in the coming week.
• Long-term outlook: Trending towards warmer temperatures after the frost event.
• Discussion of the U.S. Drought Monitor:
  • Explanation of different drought types: meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic.
  • Current drought conditions in Iowa: 98% of the state is abnormally dry or in drought.
  • Importance of accurate rainfall reporting (e.g., CoCoRaHS program).
• Specialty crop impacts:
  • Basil harvest should be completed before frost.
  • Sweet potatoes should be fine through the first frost night but harvested by Tuesday.
  • Mention of a cauliflower variety (Twister) performing well.
  • Discussion of a leaf blight issue in dill crops.
• Upcoming events:
  • High tunnel short course on November 13th.
  • Fresh Connect business coaching program launch.
• Brief mention of a fraud case involving ranchers tampering with weather stations to manipulate drought data.
• Announcement that the next episode (October 16th) will focus on frost and its impacts.
• The hosts noted this is their 29th episode of the year, marking a significant milestone in podcast production.

• Weather History:
  • On this day in 1938, temperatures reached 97°F in Onawa, tying Iowa's all-time October record.
  • Other high temperatures included 96°F at Little Sioux and Sioux City.
• Short-Term Forecast:
  • Current conditions are warm and dry, following the driest September on record.
  • Upcoming temperatures expected to reach the upper 80s to low 90s, with cooler nights in the low to mid-40s.
• Recent Weather Events:
  • Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, causing significant rainfall and landslides in North Carolina.
  • Iowa experienced dry, hot, and windy conditions, leading to fire bans in some counties.
• Temperature Trends:
  • Daily high temperatures were 11 to 15 degrees above average; lows were about 4 to 5 degrees above average.
  • The dry air led to significant temperature drops overnight.
• Long-Term Forecast:
  • The latest Drought Monitor shows severe drought expanding in parts of Western Iowa.
  • Six to ten-day and eight to fourteen-day outlooks indicate above-average temperatures across Iowa, with a gradient of higher probabilities in the west.
• Precipitation Outlook:
  • Expected to be below average for both short-term and October forecasts.
• Specialty Crop Impacts:
  • Dry weather is beneficial for root crop harvesting but can make digging difficult if the ground is too hard.
  • Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program received additional funding from USDA, aiding growers.
    • Some growers view LFPA funding as a short-term lifeline for capital improvements rather than a permanent solution.
  • Flower growers faced challenges earlier in the year due to flooding affecting crops like dahlias.

Transcript summary provided by perplexity.ai

• This episode was recorded on 9/26, but is being published on 10/1 due to technical difficulties.
• The hosts are Dan Fillius (ISU extension field specialist), Dr. Justin Glisan (state climatologist), and Madelynn Wuestenberg (ISU extension agricultural climatology specialist).
• They discuss moving to a monthly schedule for winter, with the last weekly episode on October 16th.
• Historical weather events are mentioned, including a 1959 windstorm and an early snowstorm in 1942.
• The current weather forecast indicates sunny and warm conditions, with a stagnant weather pattern due to Hurricane Helen.
• Climate predictions show above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation for the next few weeks.
• La Niña is expected to develop by the end of the year and continue into spring.
• They discuss the potential for a later-than-average first frost date this year.
• Aster yellows was confirmed in garlic samples from Winneshiek County, and precautions for planting infected garlic are discussed.
• Information on overwintering flowers and their benefits is shared.
• Cover crop germination has been challenging due to dry conditions in some areas.
• Updates on lacinato kale varieties and flea beetle pressure are provided.
• Sweet potato harvesting, storage, and slip production techniques are discussed, including methods for an African variety grown for its vines.
• The importance of soil sampling in fall is emphasized.
• Updates on urban agriculture zoning in Des Moines are shared, potentially allowing high tunnels up to 12 feet tall in yards.
• The podcast concludes with a brief discussion on soil temperature tools for crop planning.

• Weather History: Discussion of September 19, 1991, when freezing temperatures caused severe crop damage across Iowa.
• Current Weather:
  • Describes current pleasant and balmy weather conditions.
  • Thunderstorms forming in central and northern Iowa with a slight risk of severe weather.
• 7-Day Forecast:
  • Active weather pattern expected with rain forecasted over the weekend.
  • Anticipation of synoptic scale rain rather than thunderstorms.
• Soil Conditions:
  • September is noted as the second driest in 152 years, affecting lawn care and crop growth.
  • Discussion on reseeding lawns during this dry period.
• Agritourism Impact:
  • Rain on weekends negatively affects turnout for agritourism events and farmers markets.
  • Farmers are adapting by opening their businesses every day to mitigate losses from rainy weekends.
• Long-term Outlook:
  • Near-normal precipitation expected in the coming weeks, with a warm signal for comfortable weather.
• Summer Glory Index:
  • The Summer Glory Index for 2024 was calculated at 1820, indicating a mostly glorious summer.
  • Comparison to previous years and discussion of how perceptions of summer weather differ between regions.
• Specialty Crop Updates:
  • Report on sweet corn yields at Dan D Farms, which were affected by weather conditions.
  • Discussion of diseases affecting brassicas and recommendations for crop management.
• Radish Growing Tips:
  • Explanation of factors that affect radish spiciness, including growing conditions and stress levels.
• Strawberry Disease Alert:
  • Mention of a new disease (Neopestalotiopsis) affecting strawberry plug production, with advice on managing risks related to crop rotation.

This episode features clips from the Farm Progress Show with Patrick O'Malley and Randall Vos, both field specialists in horticulture with ISU Extension and Outreach

Patrick O'Malley's segment:

• Eastern Iowa has experienced a wetter year than usual, leading to fungal diseases in vegetables and fruit crops.
• Apples that haven't been sprayed are showing more fruit rot, while sprayed ones are doing well.
• Chinese chestnuts are a notable commercial nut crop in Southeast Iowa, with a co-op in Columbus Junction.
• Pawpaws are a potential crop for areas south of Highway 30 in Iowa, with pick-your-own operations emerging.

Randall Vos's segment on grapes:

• Most Midwest grapes are wine grapes, which require specific harvesting considerations.
• Table grape varieties recommended for Iowa include Somerset seedless and Jupiter (for southern Iowa).
• Wine grape harvest timing depends on three main factors: Brix (sugar content), pH, and titratable acidity (TA).
• This year's challenge is higher TA levels due to cooler ripening temperatures.
• Harvest window varies by grape variety and intended wine type (e.g., rosé, dry wine, fortified wine).
• Early-season varieties may have a harvest window as short as a week, while later varieties can have 2-3 weeks.
• Flavor and aroma compounds are difficult to quantify, often relying on human tasting for assessment.
• Winemakers can adjust sugar levels post-harvest to balance high acidity.
• Risks of leaving grapes on the vine longer include rain damage, berry drop, and bird predation.

• Historical Weather Event:
  • In 1913, an unexplained weather phenomenon occurred in Albia during the Yankee Robinson Circus, resulting in the death of a 12-year-old boy and injuries to 15 others due to a collapsing tent. Residents nearby did not witness any storm.
• Current Weather Forecast:
  • A cold front is moving through Iowa, bringing rain showers to Northern Iowa, with cooler temperatures expected.
  • Next week, temperatures may rise back into the 80s and low 90s, with a dry forecast and reasonable dew points in the 60s.
• Recent Weather Notables:
  • The past week was hot with some rain showers across the state.
  • A frontal passage brought above-average rainfall, particularly in northwestern Iowa.
  • Stagnant air and high dew points created a "tropical killer air mass."
• Tobacco Farming Update:
  • Farmers in Mount Ayr are currently in tobacco harvest time but faced challenges due to wet conditions preventing field access.
• Long-term Weather Outlook:
  • The 6-10 day outlook indicates warmer than average temperatures and below-normal precipitation.
  • The 8-14 day outlook also shows above-average temperatures continuing into late September.
• Frost Outlook:
  • No frost hazards are predicted for Iowa in the immediate future, but northern regions may experience frost.
  • Average first fall freeze dates vary by county: Kossuth County (October 5), Story County (October 7), Wayne County (October 12).
• Climate Trends:
  • Iowa has seen a trend of later freeze dates over the past 30 years.
  • The state has experienced a warming trend, particularly in winter.
• Summer Weather Summary:
  • Preliminary data indicates a summer average temperature of 72°F, slightly below average.
  • Precipitation was slightly above average, with some regions experiencing significant dryness.
• Mosquito Population Update:
  • A study found a significant increase in mosquito populations this year, with higher counts compared to last year, likely due to wetter conditions.

• Tobacco farmers in Mount Ayr were in harvest time
• Wet conditions prevented field access, potentially causing issues if drying doesn't occur soon
• The tobacco grown is used for cigar wrappers
• 12 acres of tobacco are planted next to soybean fields
• Not shade-grown

• A farmer in Lamoni reported severe decline in tomato plants
• Dan Fillius observed symptoms consistent with bacterial canker:
  • Plants showed rapid decline, with some completely dead
  • Classic symptoms of bacterial canker were present
  • Symptoms were more pronounced due to dry conditions
  • Leaf margins showed brown and yellow die-back (firing) from edges inward
  • Symptoms appeared on leaves throughout the entire plant, not just from bottom up
  • Bacterial canker was widespread in Iowa last year but less common this year

• • • Dry conditions exacerbate symptoms as the disease affects plant transpiration
    • The condition differs from early blight, which typically progresses from the ground up

• Key points from the weather discussion: - On this day in 1979, several tornadoes touched down in Iowa, with one F3-F4 tornado causing significant damage. - Recent weather included oppressive heat, with temperatures reaching 99°F in Des Moines. - A cold front is expected to bring rainfall and cooler temperatures. - Some areas of Iowa are experiencing dryness, with potential expansion of abnormally dry conditions.

• Specialty crop updates: - Cut flower production is increasing in Iowa. - Aster yellows disease is impacting various flower crops. - Basil downy mildew is a significant issue for ornamental basil. - Rhizoctonia root rot was found in snapdragons in a high tunnel. - Tips for managing rabbits and deer in crop fields were shared.

• Announcements: - IDALS has a job opening for a Local Foods Program Planner. - Upcoming events: Women's chainsaw workshop, Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Days.

• The podcast includes a segment from the Farm Progress Show, featuring Madelynn Wuestenberg discussing various weather instruments: - SoilVue 10 Soil Profiler for measuring soil moisture and temperature. - Weather station components: pyranometer, sonic anemometer, air temperature and humidity sensor. - Data logger for collecting and transmitting weather data. - Demonstration of soil temperature differences in wet and dry soil.

Podcast summary generated by claude.ai