Brandenburg Planters Are Rolling
Fields Drying Out Makes for Workable Planting Conditions
Trent Brandenburg started planting corn and soybeans this Monday, April 5, 2021. This is about the same start as Trent got last year when he started on April 7, 2020. Trent is hurrying to get more planted before the rains predicted for this afternoon, April 9. He wants a good rain to speed the germination of seed already planted. The soil temperature is still in the 40s but the recent sunny days will warm it quickly.
Trent has not made any changes to his corn-bean rotation, although the recent bean price spike is tempting. He has already applied fertilizer and crop protection chemicals planned for this year, so he is fairly well locked into his present rotation because a field with corn inputs applied has to be planted to corn. Trent’s present corn-bean balance has been successful for him, so he is continuing with it.
More from The Field Report
Not Quite Harvest Time Just Yet
Trent Brandenburg's earliest-planted corn is "about a week away" from drying below 25% moisture. At that level, he could lower his drying expense at the grain elevator. "Now, if there's an incentive..., " Trent indicated that an elevator offering a [...]
Replanting Done, Corn and Beans Look Good
Trent Brandenburg has replanted his few ponded field "wet spots" as many as three times. The replanted areas are "thin," Trent observed, because "It has been too wet. But at least [replanting] will keep the weeds down." Trent is now [...]
First Round Of Planting Done, Ponds Need Replanting
Trent Brandenburg is done with his "first round" of planting, as he puts it. The corn and soybeans he planted in April are up and growing in excellent condition. Trent's later-planted crops are germinating but not as far along as [...]