Throughout Latham Country, most early spring field work has involved anhydrous and dry fertilizer application. Manure also has been hauled and some tillage has been completed.  Sunshine and above normal temperatures have pushed planting.  Farmers have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of April 11, which is the earliest planting date for full crop insurance to go into effect.  Today is the day!

With dry – even droughty – conditions, planters will likely be rolling in force today.  It’s important that farmers remember to check planter settings.  Even new planters may not be adjusted properly.

Select a region from the drop-down menu for crop reports across Latham Country.

RISKS OF EARLY PLANTING
Guest blog post by Kevin Meyer,
Latham RSM in North Central and Eastern Iowa

After a very mild winter, attention has turned to spring field preparation and making final planting preparations.  Tillage is complete.  Seed is in the shed, and farmers are eager to get in the fields.

The unseasonably temperatures we’ve experienced throughout much of March and early April have many farmers asking me whether it’s Too Early to Start Planting.  Although each year is different, Iowa State University has compiled years of research data to show that optimal planting dates in Iowa:

• April 11 – May 13   Southern Iowa
• April 12 – May 2     Northeast Iowa
• April 12 – May 28   Northwest and Central Iowa

A study by Dr. Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois, showed that corn planted in late April yielded more than corn planted in late March or early April nine out of 12 times.  In a study conducted in 2006 by Dr. Nafziger, corn planted March 30 yielded 40 bushels per acre less than corn planted on April 9.  For the duration of that study, the high temperatures in mid-May were below 50° Fahrenheit.

Although we’ve experienced especially warm air temperatures over the last two weeks, it’s important to monitor soil temperatures as you look to start this year’s planting.  A sustained soil temperature of 50+ degrees is needed for corn to germinate.   Experience tells us that Mother Nature usually has a tendency to correct a warmer than normal March with a wet, cold April.  The return of cold weather is just one of the risks associated with planting corn before the optimum window.

Another thing to consider this spring is that our soils are on the dry side, especially when compared to recent years.  Seedbed preparation should be done with the conservation of moisture in mind this spring to make the most of the opportunities of good field conditions we now have.  Monitor soil temperatures field by field.  Also keep in mind how the amount of residue may affect planting.  Good planter maintenance and preparation will be a benefit once we get to the field.

Be patient and have a safe planting season!

After experiencing several unseasonably warm days this month, we’re hearing reports of farmers who have planted corn.  That just begs the question, “How early is too early to plant?”

There’s no need to rush into the fields.  In fact, years of field research by Iowa State University shows the highest yield potential is with corn planting dates between April 12 and May 8.  To achieve 98% of the corn yield potential, the data shows farmers in northeast Iowa should plant between April 12 and April 30. In northwest, west central, central, and east central Iowa the best time to plant is from April 15 to May 9. In the bottom three tiers of counties in Iowa, farmers need t plant corn between April 17 to May 8 to reach the 98% yield window. This same research shows that planting too early (between March 20 and April 5) or too late (between May 5 and May 20) results in significant yield reduction.

Typically, we recommend farmers wait to plant corn until for soil temperatures are 50° Fahrenheit and until soybeans reach between 55-60 degrees before planting soybeans.  Warmer temperatures are especially critical to protect seedlings.  Soybeans can germinate when soils are about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  However, if the air temperature after germination hits 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less, the young seeding can be killed with the growing point of the plant right at emergence.

Keep in mind, the weather we’ve experienced in the first half of March is a atypical.  Record-high temperatures and limited precipitation in early March warmed current soil temperatures to levels that we usually see in late April.  Such soil temperatures can be sustained in late April since nearly every day gets warmer as we approach summer.  The situation we’re facing now is that the calendar still reads March.

It’s likely that we’ll experience colder air temperatures yet this spring.  Remember what happened in April 2011?  Rain, snow, and hail fell upon areas of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin on April 19, 2011.

Farmers should probably think twice – maybe three times – before they head to the field with their planters this spring.  The seed in their shed right now is most likely their first choice for a hybrid.  If farmers have to replant, they may be planting their third or fourth choice for seed products as supplies are tight across the industry. 

With the increase of new technologies in the field, from GPS to RIB, along with factors beyond individual control – from vast changes in weather patterns to fluctuating markets – it has never been more important for seed businesses to stay up to date on changing trends within the industry.

There are many key elements to seed retailers’ “crystal ball” forecasting to help ensure the seed that moves from plan to planter will meet demand. Those qualities I find key to seed companies’ success include:

1. Listening. At Latham, our most valuable relationships are with our customers.  We look to partner with individuals, who can tell us what they’re seeing in their field, and what they’re looking for from a seed company. Whether we’re having a conversation in the field, surveying our customers via iPad, or answering field questions on our blog, we’re listening to the wants and needs of our customers in the field.  Then we adapt what we can to provide a solution that can answer needs before they’ve risen.
2. Planning. It’s critical for companies to utilize available resources in order to lay out a detailed plan for the coming years, whether that plan covers one year or three, it must address important and upcoming needs outlined with customers.
3. Embracing Technology. A company must embrace technologies their customers use or that add value for their customers. One of our favorite uses of technology at Latham is how we’ve been able to add video to our weekly crop reports provided on The Field Position.  Now we don’t just write about how to manage SDS; we go out in the field, show people what it looks like, where it’s most prevalent, and provide tips for avoiding outbreaks.
4. Adding humility and adapting. Companies have to accept that they can’t – and won’t – know it all, and that some elements are truly unpredictable. Adding humility to the mix allows more flexibility to adapt. For 65 years, we’ve focused on serving customers with the best possible soybean seed.  But as the demand for corn grew in our service area, we added hybrid products to our lineup, and have been able to grow every year since. While change is a constant in any industry, we believe one thing will always remain true: those companies that listen to growers and work to answer their needs by offering the best possible product and service will create satisfied customers.