Early Planting: Using Soil Temperature Windows for Corn and Soybean

Apr 23, 2026

By Nicolás Cafaro La Menza

Key Takeaways

Planting early during soil-warming windows maximizes yield potential and return on investment in crop inputs.
Minimum soil temperature thresholds for germination: corn and soybean are safe to plant at 50°F or greater soil temperature, while sorghum requires 55–60°F or greater.
Soil temperature above the thresholds during the first 24 hours after planting is critical for adequate water uptake (imbibition phase) to ensure good germination. After this imbibition phase, corn and soybean seeds can tolerate temperatures below 50°F without affecting germination as long as the seed is in proper soil moisture.
Start planting corn and soybean when soil temperatures at 2 inches are above 50°F and the weather forecast shows 24 to 48 hours of rising temperatures or similar weather as of planting day.
Adequate soil moisture is essential for rapid seed imbibition, making it even more important to time planting with both temperature and moisture conditions to support strong emergence.

Why do we want to plant early? The planting date management is not about when you plant your first field, but when you plant your last field. Planting early is a key factor in achieving high yields, especially in irrigated fields. Early planting is more critical for soybean than for corn. An eight-day advance in the Nebraska irrigated soybean 50% planting progress date was associated with a Delays in the Nebraska irrigated corn 50% planting progress date did not have much impact on corn yields. Indeed, there is a planting window between mid-April and mid-May in which corn yield does not seem to change much.

Source : unl.edu

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.