It’s April 15, Time To Plant Corn
Moving Along with Spring Planting 2020
Trent Brandenburg has already planted about 1200 acres of corn and soybeans. He is following his corn-bean rotation and choosing to plant fields with the best soil conditions and then planting according to his rotation plan. “At least it’s not as wet as last year,” Trent observed, explaining that he is not as concerned about the cold nights affecting germination as he would be about wet soil.
Trent’s preplant work for corn fields involves “conservation tillage” in which he does not plow. Plowing leaves the soil surface bare and subject to wind and water erosion. By leaving some crop residue on the surface, the valuable topsoil and the nutrients it holds, are preserved for the upcoming crop. For fields to be planted with corn, Trent applies pre-plant herbicides and nitrogen. Soybean fields just get the pre-plant herbicide.
Like most years, Trent is racing the next rain to get as much planted as he can. “It’s April 15,” he said, “Time to plant corn.” The calendar doesn’t wait.
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 [...]