We’re Way Ahead On Growing Degree Days
Trent Brandenburg is happy with his corn and soybean crops so far. The corn is fully pollinated and ear fill is underway. Trent wants more rain to get the test weight of the corn kernels up. The early growth and maturity is due to the number of degree days so far. “We’re ‘way ahead on degree days,” Trent happily noted.
On the other hand, Trent’s soybeans are chest-high and maybe have a little too much water. Trent’s experience has been that the tallest soybeans do not yield as well as more normal- sized plants. Trent has so far not observed any disease problems in his soybeans. Trent is busy mowing roadsides, where the grass is growing as well as his corn and soybeans.
More from The Field Report
Not Much Field Work This Week
Trent Brandenburg does not plan on much fieldwork for this week, starting April 29, 2024. The huge squall line that extended from Texas to Green Bay, Wisconsin, over this past weekend, was far enough west to spare central Illinois from [...]
Machinery and Tile Repairs While Awaiting Warmer Weather
Trent Brandenburg is enjoying the first day of Spring finishing up some machinery repairs. His fieldwork right now involves fixing broken field tiles and clearing waterways to ensure good drainage during the crop year. Trent has not started serious field [...]
Need More Cold Weather, Warmer Markets
Trent Brandenburg wants more cold weather to freeze the soil deeper and kill more overwintering insects. "We are having too many 40-degree days," he observed. Trent noted, "Not much grain is moving," due to lower market pricing. "Eventually, the owner [...]