Planting Challenges and Risks

Wet weather has made planting conditions tricky this spring. Some soybeans have gone in the ground, but I have not seen or heard much about emergence yet. A few fields have been planted for nearly three weeks, so it will be worth watching closely for any germination or stand issues.

Corn planting has also been limited so far because soil temperatures and moisture levels have not been very cooperative. One of the biggest concerns with planting corn in these conditions is imbibitional chilling. This happens when the seed takes in cold water during the first 24 to 48 hours after planting, which can hurt germination and reduce final stands.

The biggest risk comes when corn is planted into soils below 50 degrees and then gets hit with a cold rain. We have seen both of those conditions recently. The forecast looks warmer this week, which should help soil temperatures, but growers still need to pay close attention to field moisture before heading to the planter.

One of the worst ways to start a corn crop is by creating sidewall compaction and causing roots to “tomahawk” in the seed trench. Corn rarely grows out of that problem, and the yield penalty can be significant. If even 10 percent of a field is affected and loses 20 bushels, that can drag down the field average in a year when margins are already tight.

This season, every bushel matters. Getting the crop planted right is one of the most important decisions a grower can make, and it is one of the few things fully within your control. If you have questions about timing or field conditions, reach out to your SFG agronomist before making the call to plant.