We Can Grow More With Rain Than Without It
First corn tassels seen!
Trent Brandenburg is philosophical about the wet June, remembering that last year by this time (early July 2012) the worst drought in years had become established. Trent had to replant about 10% of his corn and soybean plantings due to ponded ground and hail damage. Trent adds that you can’t see many ponded areas from the road now that the crops are growing taller. Today, July 8, 2013, “I will be done replanting, because by the time the wet spots I haven’t replanted yet are dry enough it will be July 20 which is too late to plant.”
Trent thinks there is enough soil moisture now to get good corn pollination. He still wants some rains for ear and pod fill because the corn and soybean plants are shallow-rooted due to the unusually wet June. Ideally there will be good drying weather this fall and the first frost will be late enough to maximize yields from the late planting.
Trent is just beginning to see corn tassels. He estimates the corn crop is about two weeks behind “normal”.
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 [...]