METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY
Weather plays a critical role in the agricultural industry. It is as important as any other element that goes into growing crops since
the weather has a powerful influence on production. High productivity is the goal for an agricultural crop. Higher productivity occurs, when
for a given amount of land, a higher yield of a certain crop is produced. High productivity leads to more revenue since more of the crop
can be sold. Other elements that can result in a higher productivity include quality fertilizers, genetic engineering to make the crops
bigger and more resistant to pests and other resistances to negative influences, higher quality soil, optimum watering schedule, type of
crop grown, optimum intervention techniques, high quality seeds and an increased number of plants per unit area.
A variety of weather elements have to come together to make a crop yield productive. Too much of a good thing is not good. For example,
too much rain can damage certain crops and too much sun can also damage certain crops. The right balance of sun, precipitation, wind,
humidity and temperature are needed to optimize crop growth. This balance changes for each type of crop. With this balance being so
important, it is important to have good weather and climate forecasts so that adjustments in crop volume, crop type, and crop intervention
techniques can be prepared for. Examples of intervention techniques include preparation for freezing temperatures, having more water
on hand when the forecast is for extended dry weather, harvesting the crop at the optimum time for that season and planting different
crops that work well together for a particular weather pattern.
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