Flooded Farms Cause Planting Delay

May 1 Isn’t Really A Planting Deadline
Ponded farm ground is widespread in central Illinois, entirely stopping corn planting for the past two weeks. Despite the traditional rush to get corn planted by May 1, over the past 10 years the average planting completion by May 1 has been only 40%. Year after year, the farm experience has been that weather later in the growing season has more effect on yield than planting date, provided planting is completed by the end of May.
Today’s big planters enable very fast planting once soil temperatures and soil moisture are optimum. The University of Illinois has observed a repeatedly-demonstrated capacity to plant half the Illinois corn crop in ten days. Farm operators do not want the yield loss that comes from planting in cold, wet soils, compacted by a rush into the field. The vast majority of midwest farmers agree with this, as only 1% of corn planting has occurred in Illinois and Iowa.
Trent has observed ponding in his fields soak into the ground in a day or so, recharging the groundwater which was badly depleted in last year’s drought. The relative quickness of the pond draining indicates to Trent that there is still plenty of room in the soil for more water. The soil surface is still shiny, meaning it’s too wet to plant. Trent would rather have the wet soil ahead of planting rather than have wet soil, after planting, make seedlings struggle.
More from The Field Report
A Good Season For Trent Despite The Drought
Trent Brandenburg is happy with his farming results this season. He still has about 20 acres of corn and another 20 of beans to harvest. Despite the drought earlier in the season, it is now too wet to get into [...]
Harvest Is Looking Good
Rain at the end of September called a pause in Trent Brandenburg's harvest, giving him time to chat. Trent is about 25% done with his corn and soybean harvest. At first, his corn harvest moisture content was in the mid-20s, [...]
August: Crop Tours and Farm Shows
August in the farming community is the month for crop tours and farm shows. Trent Brandenburg believes his corn and soybean yields will exceed the numbers posted for recent crop tours. Various ag firms host crop tours during August in [...]