Brandenburg Planters Are Rolling
Fields Drying Out Makes for Workable Planting Conditions
Trent Brandenburg started planting corn and soybeans this Monday, April 5, 2021. This is about the same start as Trent got last year when he started on April 7, 2020. Trent is hurrying to get more planted before the rains predicted for this afternoon, April 9. He wants a good rain to speed the germination of seed already planted. The soil temperature is still in the 40s but the recent sunny days will warm it quickly.
Trent has not made any changes to his corn-bean rotation, although the recent bean price spike is tempting. He has already applied fertilizer and crop protection chemicals planned for this year, so he is fairly well locked into his present rotation because a field with corn inputs applied has to be planted to corn. Trent’s present corn-bean balance has been successful for him, so he is continuing with it.
More from The Field Report
Waiting For It To Dry Out
Trent Brandenburg got 1.5 inches of rainfall over Easter Weekend, so he is "waiting for it to dry out," to resume planting. He began planting last Tuesday, April 15. Trent estimated he has about a third of his corn and [...]
Shoveling Bins, Discing, and Waiting
Trent Brandenburg has been shoveling out the last contents of his grain bins to market the last of his stored grain. He has been able to do some discing to prepare for soybean planting. The windy days have been too [...]
A Warm and Wet Winter
Trent Brandenburg is getting ready to do some pre-season spraying. He is maintaining his machinery. Except for a burst of zero weather a week or so ago, the winter in central Illinois has been warm and wet. The soil moisture [...]