Crops Getting Plenty of Rain
Rains Soak the Growing Area Causing Ponding and Filling Up Ditches
Despite nearly six inches of rain on June 25th in nearby McLean County, Illinois, Trent just got heavy rains but there is more in the forecast. His corn crop is doing well, “but the beans needed the rain,” he observed. They certainly got it over the weekend with nearly 5″ of rain around Cerro Gordo and plenty of ponded fields.
The rainstorms of recent weeks have been accompanied by wind strong enough to blow some of his corn over. “It stood right back up. Corn is pretty forgiving this time of year,” Trent noted.
Ponding at this late date, bad enough to consider replanting, is a decision that depends upon the planting date. For example. corn planted before April 1 does not usually qualify for crop insurance to pay for the replant. So any replant decision will vary from field to field, depending upon the original planting date and the extent of the ponding. The economic decision is whether a late replant will yield enough to be worth the expense.
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 [...]