An Early Taste Of Spring
February 6, 2012 Last week, famed weather predictor Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. According to legend, this means the nation will have to endure six more weeks of winter before spring arrives.
But it seems to me that Phil is wrong this year. Across most of the U.S., this winter has seemed extraordinarily mild, with temperatures above average and snowfall below average. Here in my neck of the woods, Northeast Ohio, we’ve had snow on the ground for approximately seven days since the beginning of December. In fact, on several days with temperatures in the 50s, I’ve even been wearing short-sleeve shirts to work.
Then, there are the natural signs that spring is arriving. For example, the ducks that frequent the stream that flows through my backyard are beginning to pair off. Birds are starting to sing in the morning. And there are buds on my fruit trees.
Of course, for agriculture, an early, dry spring would be fantastic news. In 2011, the season started late and was highlighted (or lowlighted, depending upon your point of view) with almost constant rain. Once planting got underway in earnest, grower-customers were left scrambling to cover as much ground as possible in a short timeframe. I’m sure everyone in the industry would welcome a spring season that starts in early March instead of early June.
So, although I respect Groundhog Day (and love the movie, by the way), I think Punxsutawney Phil may have gotten this one wrong. Based upon everything I’m seeing, it will be an early spring. And ag retailers and their grower-customers should be prepared. Considering the market saw near record harvests with a short season in 2011, just think of what can be accomplished in 2012 with a longer one.
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