Fields are 95% Planted — Happiness Reigns
Good Timing on Spring Rains
Trent Brandenburg is happy to have 95% of his corn and soybean acreage planted. He’s is taking a day or two off right now as recent and predicted rains will make that remaining 5% too wet to plant for a few days. Trent sees good germination in his planted acres; “of course the ones we just planted two days ago are not up yet.” “This year is starting off good,” Trent summarized.
Most rains for the past month have been spaced well enough to help germination of seeds just planted, but not so often or so heavy to cause serious delays in fieldwork. The USDA’s latest planting estimates for Illinois this week are: Corn planted reached 54 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 49 percent. Soybeans planted reached 41 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 14 percent. For Trent to be 95% planted at the end of April is a great start for the new season.
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 [...]