Growing Degree Units Calculator
What's what with GDU’s (Growing Degree Units)
It's important for growers to understand how to calculate GDU's. Equally, if not
more important, growers need to understand what this information means and how to
use it for their farms.
The Formula
1. Calculate the average temperature for each day of the growing season.
Average temperature = low temperature for the day (not less
than 50 degrees F) + high temperature for the day ( not to exceed 86 degrees
F) divided by 2.
2. Calculate the the Growing Degree Units for each day of the growing season.
GDU = average daily temperature minus 50.
Examples
Cool night and cool day: 50 + 60 = 110 divided by 2 = 55 - 50 = 5 GDU's
Cool night and warm day: 50 + 86 = 136 divided by 2 = 68 - 50 = 18 GDU's
Warm night and warm day: 70 + 86 = 156 divided by 2 = 78 - 50 = 28 GDU's
Now go ahead and calculate the GDU's for your farm for the growing season
beginning with the actual planting date and ending when the corn reaches
physiological maturity or a killing frost.
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