“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
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 [...]