Waiting For The Warmup
March 2014
Trent is resigned to slow waiting for the soil to dry out and warm up.
The frost depth was 8 inches as recently as February 25 and is now about two inches. This persistent frost depth has inhibited the movement of water in the soil. Enough water has penetrated to raise the subsoil moisture to “abnormally dry” from the “moderate drouth” rating that was in place for many months. Unfortunately, the frost from the fourth-coldest winter in Illinois history has kept most of the recent heavy rain and snowmelt in the upper few inches of soil, which are now too muddy to till.
Trent has been doing chores like picking up rocks, because it is too cold at night, and too wet, to plant. Trent is hoping to begin planting right after Easter, April 20, but could be forced to wait until May 1 for the soil temperature to reach 50 degrees. That temperature is needed for fast germination and a vigorous start for the young corn plants.
Trent has fall-applied most of his fertilizer, so he will be “going a little heavy on corn” although soybeans are a little more profitable in today’s market. But the fertilizer is already in the ground, so he will follow his existing plan. Recent ag industry issues about who owns the data from a particular farm field are not an issue for Trent. “If I don’t give my data to my fertilizer guy, what good does it do me?” Trent remarked.
More from The Field Report
From Drought To Ponding And Replanting
In barely months, Trent's challenges have gone from extreme drought to repeated ponding and replanting. Trent has replanted some corn and soybeans twice, only to have the ponding return yet again. "I don't think I will try to replant corn [...]
Corn And Soybean Planting Done, Some Germinated, More To Come
Trent Brandenburg is happy to have completed his corn and soybean planting by the 15th of May. "It's slow," he said, commenting on the germination delay by the recent cool temperatures. Moderately heavy rains the last few days have caused [...]
Worked Some Fields, With A Sunny Day Could Begin Planting
Trent Brandenburg has "worked a couple of fields, they're barely ready" after several days of rain last week. "If we get a sunny day tomorrow I could plant some," Trent continued. The long-standing extreme drought in central Illinois has been [...]