To help make the data easier to use, Hoogenboom added a number of applications to the Web site. These enable people to get, in seconds, data on weather history , degree days , chilling hours , water balance , heating and cooling days and crop models . Adams Farm's Many Uses James Lee Adams, who has one of the stations on his farm near Camilla, Ga., said he constantly checks the soil temperatures as he prepares to plan cotton, peanuts and corn. Air temperature and humidity data help in adjusting the climate in the farm's poultry houses. Temperature reports help avoid aflatoxin in peanuts.
Heat units help determine cotton's maturity.
Rainfall and evapotranspiration rates help in scheduling irrigation. Temperature and wind data help schedule pesticide spraying. Spraying chemicals at the most efficient time helps protect the environment. Utility companies use the heating or cooling degree-day calculators to help them plan for their customers' heating and cooling needs. It helps with customer education, too.