“I’ll Take It Not Getting Wetter”
“I’ll Take It Not Getting Wetter”
At the end of April, 2019, Trent Brandenburg has only 100 acres of corn planted. He is usually nearly done with planting at this time of year. “It’d be different if I was the only farmer in Illinois who didn’t have a crop in,” Trent observed. “I’ve planted corn in May before and it did fine.” Wet soil in most fields increased the risk of getting stuck in the mud. The wet soil and cold temperature are not good for healthy germination and a quick “pop-up” so desired of seedlings. Trent estimates that with warm and dry weather, it would take a week to dry out the soil, “Then I could be done in 10 days.”
Trent is planting his corn first, then soybeans. A few have planted beans first. Trent “stays with what works.” Trent says, “At this point, I’ll take it not getting wetter.”
More from The Field Report
Everything Looks Pretty Good, Says Trent
Trent Brandenburg has finished planting except for a few ponds. He is pleased with the germination so far. It is still too wet for side-dressing, but at least the Drought Monitor shows no dryness in Trent's farming area of Central [...]
Waiting For It To Dry Out
Trent Brandenburg got 1.5 inches of rainfall over Easter Weekend, so he is "waiting for it to dry out," to resume planting. He began planting last Tuesday, April 15. Trent estimated he has about a third of his corn and [...]
Shoveling Bins, Discing, and Waiting
Trent Brandenburg has been shoveling out the last contents of his grain bins to market the last of his stored grain. He has been able to do some discing to prepare for soybean planting. The windy days have been too [...]