Muddy Fields Cause Slow Planting Completion Again This Year
Rains Were Prolific in April and May in Central Illinois
As June arrives, Trent Brandenburg still has about 20 percent of his acreage to plant, mostly soybeans, due to the continuing wet weather. Trent, additionally, has over five percent of his already-panted acreage to re-plant due to ponding. Of course, the problem acres are the most poorly-drained already, as they are still wet, so the dry-out will be slow. Trent plans to increase his plant population in an attempt to offset the yield loss with late planting. The ultimate yield “depends more on the weather the rest of the season, than anything else from now on,” Trent concluded.
Trent is happy with most of his planting so far. Germination has been good and most of his acres are off to a good start. Trent “feels good about everything so far,” he said, referring to his farming operations.
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 [...]