Iowa agronomic consultant Bob Streit often refers to an unorthodox meteorologist, Simon Atkins, who incorporates many factors into his seasonal forecasts. Here’s an excerpt from Bob’s weekly report to his clients which bears on the upcoming 2021 growing season.

March 11, 2021  Bob cites another consultant, Jerry Scheppele, a Northeast Iowa crop advisor we’ve known for years.

“Jerry Scheppele held a few smaller meetings late this winter and included a few blurbs about the expected weather conditions this summer. He is in the smallish group that subscribes to Dr. Simon Atkins, noted meteorologist and seer from his hideaway in the middle of a eucalyptus forest west of Punte del Este, Uruguay.

“Based on his studies of global magnetics and cycles, he commented on six facets of the summer’s weather. Because of activity in the sun, there have been major changes in the magnetics of the sun and earth. Simon believes the fronts will be stronger and more defined. That would set up stronger winds and greater temperature fluctuations.

“He expects the drought to move east and affect an area of the Corn Belt extending about 800 miles east of the Missouri River.

“Do what it takes to drought proof your crops and help your deep-rooted hybrids maximize root depth.

“Simon Atkins is expecting a warm and early spring, which will present planting opportunities in mid-April with delays coming in May. He mentions that there have been a number of all-time barometric records set, so this trend will continue. He makes particular mention of strong winds, and after the Aug 10, 2020 derecho storm and aftermath, that takes on another new meaning. Do we strengthen the stalks with Silica or pay a higher price for wind insurance?

“Then the last comment was that the changing magnetic energies may alter the uptake of different minerals from the soil. Does that place more importance on soil microbiology-induced nutrient release? Jerry Scheppele thinks this places greater importance and reliance on using foliar applied minerals during the summer when moisture is so short that mass flow and transpiration flow are reduced. When that has happened in the past, the only way to get the minerals into the plant was through foliar application. That may sound expensive and time consuming but with corn at over $5 now, what could corn be worth next fall if we are dry this summer?

Contact Bob at https://www.centraliowaag.com/