“I’ll Take It Not Getting Wetter”
“I’ll Take It Not Getting Wetter”
At the end of April, 2019, Trent Brandenburg has only 100 acres of corn planted. He is usually nearly done with planting at this time of year. “It’d be different if I was the only farmer in Illinois who didn’t have a crop in,” Trent observed. “I’ve planted corn in May before and it did fine.” Wet soil in most fields increased the risk of getting stuck in the mud. The wet soil and cold temperature are not good for healthy germination and a quick “pop-up” so desired of seedlings. Trent estimates that with warm and dry weather, it would take a week to dry out the soil, “Then I could be done in 10 days.”
Trent is planting his corn first, then soybeans. A few have planted beans first. Trent “stays with what works.” Trent says, “At this point, I’ll take it not getting wetter.”
More from The Field Report
Dry Weather Hastens Harvest
September in central Illinois was one-to-three-inches short of average rainfall. Trent Brandenburg took full advantage of the natural drydown and good field conditions to get his crops from the field to the bin. Trent has completed his soybean harvest. He [...]
Not Quite Harvest Time Just Yet
Trent Brandenburg's earliest-planted corn is "about a week away" from drying below 25% moisture. At that level, he could lower his drying expense at the grain elevator. "Now, if there's an incentive..., " Trent indicated that an elevator offering a [...]
Replanting Done, Corn and Beans Look Good
Trent Brandenburg has replanted his few ponded field "wet spots" as many as three times. The replanted areas are "thin," Trent observed, because "It has been too wet. But at least [replanting] will keep the weeds down." Trent is now [...]