Crops Getting Plenty of Rain
Rains Soak the Growing Area Causing Ponding and Filling Up Ditches
Despite nearly six inches of rain on June 25th in nearby McLean County, Illinois, Trent just got heavy rains but there is more in the forecast. His corn crop is doing well, “but the beans needed the rain,” he observed. They certainly got it over the weekend with nearly 5″ of rain around Cerro Gordo and plenty of ponded fields.
The rainstorms of recent weeks have been accompanied by wind strong enough to blow some of his corn over. “It stood right back up. Corn is pretty forgiving this time of year,” Trent noted.
Ponding at this late date, bad enough to consider replanting, is a decision that depends upon the planting date. For example. corn planted before April 1 does not usually qualify for crop insurance to pay for the replant. So any replant decision will vary from field to field, depending upon the original planting date and the extent of the ponding. The economic decision is whether a late replant will yield enough to be worth the expense.
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 [...]