Too Early to Panic About Delayed Planting
More rain and cool temperatures are keeping planters idle this week, but it is not time to panic. Corn that was planted two weeks ago is starting to emerge. However, Rob King of Brodbeck Seeds says corn that was planted last week has not had energy to develop and may be in trouble, “The corn that was planted last Monday and Tuesday may be at risk. I think the lack of daily growing heat units will make it hard to get this crop up.” He added, for the past week, we have only been averaging about 5 units per day. In addition, some of the heavy soil in the eastern part of Indiana tends to crust over when hit with heavy rain such as we have seen in the past few days.
For many producers, it will be later this week or into the weekend before soils will dry enough to be planted. King told HAT it is not time to panic yet, “We are still early. If we can get planted by May 10 or 12, we will be okay.” He said most producers can get their farms planted in about 5 to 10 days. So, if we can dry things out and warm things up in the next week, the crop should get planted by the end of the month. He urged growers not to rush back into wet fields but to try and wait until the soil is dry. He added it is too early to consider a switch to shorter maturity seeds or switch to soybeans.
He does advise growers, however, to get started with their weed control program if they have not been able to put down a pre-plant application, “It is time to get aggressive on weeds before they get too tall.” He warned that the cool weather does not slow the growth of weeds. King also urges growers to begin to scout for insect infestation, “We have seen large number of army worms showing up in traps around the state.”
Listen to the complete interview with Rod King of Brodbeck Seeds
The complete interview with Rod King of Brodbeck Seeds