Wind And Sun Dried The Fields Fast
This morning (June 6, 2022) Trent Brandenburg was considering if he should start mowing roadsides. Watching the cloudy skies, he wondered if he would be caught in the rain. Trent finished his planting over a week ago. He has a few spots at the ends of the rows in his soybean fields, where he has to turn around, which have sparse populations, not because of germination, but because of the mechanics of turning the planter at the end of the row. He doesn’t think the replanting is worth it. He has enjoyed good germination and early growth of both corn and soybeans.
After a long period of below-normal temperature and constant rain in May, the first week of June brought sunny skies, wind, and warmer temperatures. “It’s amazing how fast it dried out,” Trent noted. He wants the rain today, happy to postpone mowing for the rain to keep his corn and soybeans supplied with ample moisture. Quoting from the National Agricultural Statistic Service end-of-May Illinois crop report: “Corn planted reached 89 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 84 percent. Corn emerged reached 76 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 71 percent. Corn condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 62 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Soybeans planted reached 75 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 67 percent. Soybean emergence has reached 52 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 50 percent. ” Trent rates his corn and soybean crop as excellent at this point in the season.
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 [...]