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| Ohio rain showers settle dust, aid wheat growth |
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As dry as our summer and early fall had been, showers we received the last week of September were appreciated for a number of reasons.
For those planting wheat, rainfall helped soften the soil surface, enabling many to sow into fields with optimum moisture for rapid seed germination. The old adage, “Plant your wheat into dust and your bins will bust,” may have some merit, but primarily versus mudding in the crop. Most folks commented on the advantages of adequate moisture, not only to encourage quick emergence, but also to hold applied nitrogen and reduce wear and tear on planting equipment.
Speaking of equipment, an increasing number of farmers have planted wheat this fall with 15-inch row planter units. If appropriate varieties are used, harvest data has shown limited negative yield reduction compared to 7-and-a-half-inch drilled rows. Advantages: 50 percent less seed, more consistent seed placement, chance to interseed soybeans, equipment costs, etc. Many good agronomists have long cited the grain drills with “controlled spill” seeding mechanisms as less than desirable. That being said, we have seen 120 bushel wheat and 75 bushel soybean crops seeded with properly set and operated grain drills. Junking the drill in favor of a 15-inch row planter may not be best for everyone. After June 1, there is a definite yield advantage for less than 15-inch rows.
As crops are cut, in this part of Ohio we continue to be reminded of the value of timely planting. Soybean and corn yields from April seedings have generally produced our strongest yields. Mid-group 2 to mid-group 3 soybeans seemed to be best able to take advantage of limited rainfall this summer if planted in April.
Farmers have been surprised with a number of yields reported in the upper 60’s to mid-70s bushels per acre. Overdry soybeans with green stems and pods at combining time has been our biggest complaint.
Quite a few later fields have smaller soybeans in pods. The number of seeds harvested may be similar, but seed counts may have increased from 2,500 per pound to 3,100 or more per pound. Such variation could cause yields to range by 15 or more bushels per acre.
More producers have noted corn yields not up to par with soybean yields. Still, planting in April has proved advantageous, helping corn plants become established early. Much of the reproductive process was completed prior to heat and dry weather endured during July and August.
Compared to 2009, shelling and cribbing high quality corn with moisture in the teens is a great relief. Of course, some lodging due to untimely harvest has occurred.
Remember, we may be ahead of schedule on the calendar, but we are way behind in terms of optimal moisture/lodging potential. With little or no propane used, overdry corn is a minor inconvenience that can be tolerated.
Where yields were off, farmers commented that while number of rows on an ear and kernels in a row were identical, grains were much smaller in moisture restricted areas, and representative ears weighed only one-third to one-half as much as the best ears. In other cases, ear tips were not filled out, evidence of stress-related kernel abortion.
Harvest continues so please stay safe in the field, on the road and around the bins.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication. |
| 10/7/2010 |
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