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
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 [...]