What a difference a week can make!  Iowa farmers can plant slightly more than 20 percent of our state’s corn acres in one good week, according to ISU Extension Corn Specialist Roger Elmore.  This figure is based on the five-year average, which includes one of the fastest planting seasons on record, 2010, and also one of the slowest on record, 2008.

Only 3% of Iowa’s corn acreage had been planted compared with 61% at this time last year, according to the April 25 crop report by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.  In this week’s crop report, however, reportedly 8% of the state’s corn acres have been planted.

Lots of seed went in the ground over the weekend, thanks to a few dry days with temperatures in the 60s and 70s.  Even better news… soil temperatures statewide are averaging 52 degrees and the short-term forecast calls for a few more dry days with rainfall forecast for the week’s end.

Even if rainfall delays planting later this week, Elmore says there’s still plenty of time to plant corn without significant yield losses. There is no need now to switch hybrid maturities for May planting.  Adapted hybrids adjust to later planting by shortening the time necessary to reach silking.  To view Elmore’s research on the effect of planting date on days to maturing (R6), click here.

With saturated soil conditions and more rain in the short-term forecast, some farmers are talking about switching maturities or even making the switch from corn to soybeans.

Producers are questioning whether longer season maturity hybrids should be swapped for shorter season hybrids, says Iowa State University Extension Corn Specialist Roger Elmore, and the quick answer is “no.”

There are several good reasons why farmers should wait at least until mid-May before making any changes to their current crop plan:

• We’re still within the window of opportunity for maximum yields. Although corn is not being planted as early as last year, it’s still “early.” There are literally weeks of optimal planting dates remaining.  Since hundreds of acres of corn can be planted in just one good day, take the time to wait for suitable planting conditions. Iowa State University research shows there is very little yield difference between hybrids planted April 20 and May 20. Corn planted between April 20 and May 5 resulted in 100 percent yield potential, however, 99 percent yield potential was achieved with a planting date up to May 20.
• Hybrids adjust to delayed planting dates. Adapted full season corn hybrids can compensate somewhat for later plantings. As planting is delayed, hybrids shorten the time between planting and silking.  Research shows that development and final yield of these hybrids will not be largely affected unless frost occurs especially early in the fall. That’s why ISU field agronomists recommend waiting until May 25 before switching to an earlier maturing corn hybrid.
• In general, fuller season corn hybrids out-yield shorter season hybrids. Expected corn prices can significantly affect one’s decision to switch maturities or even crops.  Consider the yield potential and the cost of production before making your final decision.  With corn at $7, it could be worth sticking with a fuller-season hybrid in hopes of increased yield.

For these reasons and more, there’s no need to switch hybrids at this point.  Patience is the key word this planting season!

Farmers, who are concerned with getting their crops planted early, don’t need to panic yet!  We’re still well within the window of opportunity to achieve optimal yields.

“Early planting” is really a subjective term.  Some farmers define it as getting corn in the ground on April 15; others define it as getting corn planted by April 30.  However, during my 32 years as an agronomist, I’ve learned that the date on the calendar isn’t nearly as important as the seedbed conditions at the time of planting and the short-term forecast that follows.

The years when farmers have achieved the best yields are when they had the best planting conditions and the best weather in the days that followed.  Soil need only reach 50 degrees for corn to germinate, but it must be able to maintain that 50 plus-degree temperature for an extended period to encourage proper seed growth and plant development.

The unseasonably cold weather that we’ve experienced over the past two weeks has caused most soil temperatures to actually decrease.  That’s why corn planted on April 15, 2011, isn’t guaranteed to out-yield corn that will be planted on May 5.

Waiting for soil conditions to reach – and maintain – 50 degrees Fahrenheit for corn and 55-60 degrees for soybeans will help with emergence and will contribute to better seedling development and overall plant health.  For these reasons and more, it pays to plant when conditions are better suited.

Shannon Latham was recently interviewed by Mark Pearson for The Big Show regarding planting dates and the best steps growers can take now to help achieve optimal yield. Click the link below to listen to the interview.

Shannon Latham Discusses Planting Dates with WHO Big Show

As Shannon said, patience is key this season. At Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, we know first-hand that waiting is easier said than done.  We’re still waiting to plant, too!

There has been much talk recently about the wet, cold planting conditions throughout the country.  On Saturday, a TV reporter said that only 2% of Iowa’s corn crop was planted as compared to the 16% that had been planted by the same time last year.

The percentage of corn in the ground by April 22 doesn’t mean the 2011 corn crop won’t be another bin-buster.  Keep in mind that last spring’s soil and weather conditions allowed farmers to plant more acres much earlier than the norm.  On average, only about 7% of Iowa’s corn acres has been planted at this time of year.

It’s easy to compare present conditions to just one year ago, so let’s take a minute to reflect on what happened in 2008.  Spring rains in Iowa that year resulted in saturated soils, cool soil temperatures and soil conditions that were less than ideal for planting.  Iowa State University Extension Corn Specialist Roger Elmore said, “Many farmers were guilty of ‘mudding in’ some corn that year.  The penalty: reduced yields.”  Click here to read Iowa State’s Integrated Crop Management NEWS from May 2008.

It’s documented:  Reduced yields result from planting under conditions that are too wet and too cold. Keep this in mind the next time someone says, “It pays to plant early.” And then chides you because your planter isn’t yet rolling.

“Regardless of calendar date, producers should wait for suitable seedbed conditions and the short-term forecast calls for pleasant weather,” advises Elmore.

Remember that although you may not have your corn planted as early as last year, it’s still “early.”  There are literally weeks of optimal planting dates left, and on average, farmers need only one week or less to get all of their corn acres planted.

You can afford to take the extra time to wait for seedbed conditions to improve.  In fact, exercising patience now will mostly likely pay dividends this fall.  When conditions are far less than ideal, it pays more to wait!

Like any other soybean farmer, Chris Gaesser is watching the soil temperatures and waiting patiently for planting conditions to improve.  Unlike most other soybean farmers, however, he’ll be planting edamame in his plot.

“Growing edamame is a lot like growing any other type of soybeans.  We’re shooting for soil temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees with a target planting date of May 10,” says Chris, who farms in southwest Iowa near Corning, with his father, Ray.

Last year the Gaessers planted a garden plot of edamame that was three rows wide, 22 inches apart and 100 feet long.  This year they’re planning to do the same.  The Gaesser’s plot will be showcased by The Soyfoods Council later this summer.  Food editors and top chefs from across the nation will be invited to pick fresh edamame and to create new dishes.

“We enjoy trying to new things to promote agriculture, food production and soybeans in general,” says Chris.  “It’s fun to meet new people.  And who knows, maybe we’ll even help create a niche market.”

Photos are courtesy of the Soyfoods Council.