If there's one constant in farming, it's this: weather rules everything. From the first seed in the ground to the final harvest, your farm’s success hinges on the sky above. And while you can’t control the clouds, you can understand them better. In this guide, we’ll walk through how seasonal weather patterns affect your crop yields, how to interpret weather forecasts, and how you can prepare for a future shaped by climate change.
Whether you're farming soybeans in Iowa, managing a drip irrigation system in California, or growing diversified crops in the Midwest, understanding weather conditions is essential to smart decision-making.
Farming has always been a game of timing. Knowing when to plant, fertilize, irrigate, or harvest depends on weather. Seasonal weather patterns—the recurring changes in temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture throughout the year—guide nearly every aspect of agricultural production.
But in today’s world, these patterns are less predictable. Changing weather patterns and extreme weather events have become the norm, not the exception. That’s why successful farmers don’t just look at the sky—they dig into historical data, consult meteorologists, and use real-time weather data and apps to stay ahead of the game.
If you're not sure where to start, FarmRaise offers a host of resources to help you make better, faster decisions—from digital financial planning tools to weather-savvy funding strategies tailored to your farm’s needs.
A seasonal forecast is more than just knowing if it’s going to rain next week. It provides a big-picture outlook on climatic conditions over the next three to six months. Sources like the NOAA, USDA, and the National Weather Service release regular updates that can give you valuable insights into your growing season.
Here’s what to watch for: