Planting Puzzle

 

Growing crops is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle — multiple pieces are needed to get a finished product.

 

Estimating acres is a key component. Iowa farmers intend to plant 9.7 million acres of soybeans and 13.9 million acres of corn, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Prospective Plantings Report released last week. About 2,000 Iowa farmers were surveyed.

 

The rest of the pieces gradually fall into place.

 

Will seed get planted on time in favorable soil conditions? How will Mother Nature affect crop development and production? What’s in store for prices?

 

“Some farmers have been able to get a start on spring field work, but it is quite limited due to the wet conditions. We are probably still a week or two away from widespread planting and will need some warm, dry weather beforehand famers are able to get started statewide,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in a statement.  “It is an exciting time as farmers look forward to the new growing season.” 

 

There are some indications 2016 could be another good year for crop production though potential pitfalls exist, according to Mark Licht, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach cropping systems agronomist.

 

Soil statewide has been frost free since mid-March. It’s warming up quickly and full of moisture, Licht said. The top five feet can hold 10-13 inches of water, experts say. It typically takes 20 inches of moisture to raise an average crop in Iowa and 25 inches for the potential to have a bin-buster.

 

“Generally, a full soil moisture profile is a good thing but even normal precipitation (during planting) could cause delays,” Licht said.

 

Farmers should avoid planting if conditions are too wet to minimize compaction, which leads to rooting problems. 

 

“My advice, like every year, is patience,” Licht added.

 

Agronomists recommend soil temperatures be 50 degrees and rising in the top 4 inches to plant, which promotes good germination. ISU soil temperatures readings earlier this week were at or near 50 degrees in the southern part of the state and 43 to 48 degrees in the northern half. 

 

The earliest Iowa farmers can plant corn and still qualify for full federal crop insurance is April 11. For soybeans, it’s April 21.

 

The optimum time to plant soybeans for the best chance to maximize yields is the last week of April in the bottom two-thirds of Iowa and the first week of May in the top one-third, according to ISU research.

 

Northeast Iowa has the narrowest optimal corn planting window: April 12-30. For northwest and central Iowa, it’s April 15-May 9. For the southern three tiers of counties, it’s April 17-May 8.

 

“We’re still holding pretty true to those dates. The main reason it hasn’t shifted (yet) is weather risks,” Licht said.

 

Planting date research using crop modeling is ongoing. Weather, crop maturity dates and yield data is being studied. Recommendations could change in the future, Licht said.

 

 

Farmers can help themselves and others by participating in Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) On-Farm Network® replicated strip trials.

 

Even though seed is only weeks away from going in the ground, it’s not too late to sign up for spring trials.

 

Nathan Paul, On-Farm Network® operations manager-cropping systems, said farmers can discover, validate and increase the use of practices and inputs to improve profit potential.