Weary smiles shown on many farmers’ faces said it all. For most in our area, the break in the weather allowed fieldwork for the first time. For others, it allowed a long awaited restart to the planting process. Due to widely ranging seeding dates, our crop progress throughout the 2011 season will be one of the most variable in memory.

Thankfully, last week’s drier conditions permitted livestock producers to land apply organic fertilizer to many fields prior to tillage.

Driving through west central Ohio, the aroma was evident as the best managed operations rushed to incorporate the manure to minimize the loss of nitrogen volatilizing from freshly applied product.

Numerous farmers had geared up during the long wet spring to plant corn and soybeans simultaneously. Although that management was utilized in previous years as well, the capability was enhanced even more to allow more efficient use of machinery and manpower.

An increasing number of farmers are reducing tillage passes, to help conserve moisture in the soil. I recall agronomists mentioning that each tillage pass can permit up to ½ inch rainfall equivalent to evaporate from the soil surface. Farmers are paying attention to such advice, with the proliferation of single pass tillage tools, improved seed placement mechanisms on planters and patience; that is waiting till the ground is fit to minimize clod formation.
Placement of corn and soybean seed into warm, moist soil encourages rapid germination and early seedling growth. Whereas the energy in seed planted in April and early May could be consumed just to keep the young seedling alive and growing, seed energy is more efficiently used now to boost early growth. In previous years, dairy farmers who take first cutting hay, spread manure, till the soil and plant, all within a day or so, note that such crops seem to jump out of the ground and never slow down. Corn and soybeans seeded in optimum environments can emerge in three days. Indeed, in some years, such late planted corn and soybeans seem to catch up with fields that endured much stress from environments typical of cold, wet springs. Some early planted corn is now 6 inches tall and looking good. 

At the time of this writing, scattered showers were forecast, but soils were drying fast. A few commented that with a long term drier forecast, they were planting corn to deeper than usual.  Rather than 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inched deep, planters were socking it down 2 1/2 inches and more. 

Time will tell if we receive the irrigation type rainfall, sunshine, heat units and moderate nighttime temperatures needed to maximize the potential of this year’s crop. Haymaking was fast, with much of first cutting baled or chopped. Too many fields showed evidence of wheat tracks, due to wet soil conditions.
With long hours still on the horizon, we ask farmers and their families to keep an eye on safety. We all know that long term statistics show that bushels of corn and soybeans are lost each day planting is delayed, but keep in mind that an accident can create a much more severe loss in productive potential.
Proper rest, timely breaks, energetic snacks and refreshing drinks go a long way to keeping minds sharp and mishaps at a minimum. For safety reasons, please keep windshields, lights, reflective areas and slow moving vehicle signs clean.

Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.