Cool, Wet Spring and Delayed Planting
May 15, 2014
During Spring 2014, weather-related planting delays have created some serious challenges for field crop producers throughout Michigan.
The following articles and resources are aimed at helping farmers address the challenges of a cool, wet spring and delayed planting:
- Managing stand losses in alfalfa fields - The long cold winter is not completely finished with our Michigan alfalfa stands.
- Filling in the blanks in a poor corn stand is not a good idea - Heavy rains not only delayed corn planting in Michigan this May, but for the corn that did get planted, we are seeing emergence problems in some fields.
- Late-planted soybean recommendations - Soybean producers can use this information to help adjust their management practices and make informed decisions for late-planted soybeans.
- Planting corn past Memorial Day - what are the risks? - The second full week of May was a wet one! Just as fields were getting dry enough to plant, another round of rain came, pushing planting back again. This has left many farmers wondering how the late planting date will impact fall harvest.
- What does a cool, wet start to the season mean for soybean producers? - Cool, wet conditions during spring 2014 can favor soybean seedling diseases, particularly those caused by Pythium species.
- Weed control advice in corn and soybean with recent planting delays - Wet conditions and delayed planting will cause challenges for weed control.
- Choosing the right corn hybrid when planting is delayed - Mid-season corn hybrids can provide similar yield punch of full-season hybrids.
- Wet weather delays wheat management practices - While wheat growers have repeatedly been sidelined by wet conditions, wheat continues to develop. This could spell difficulty for growers wanting to apply crop inputs on a timely basis.
- Alfalfa that appeared to have winter injury is now being confirmed as winterkill - As temperatures improve and green up continues, alfalfa plants can be evaluated for winterkill.
- Improving soybean emergence in soils prone to crusting - The potential for soil crusting is high this spring and the following information will help you improve soybean emergence in soils prone to crusting.
- Preventing sidewall compaction in field crops - The potential for sidewall compaction occurring during planting operations is high this spring and the following information will help you reduce this yield-limiting phenomenon.
- Web-based corn growing degree day tool helps with planting decisions - The best laid plans can change with the changing weather. A new corn growing degree day tool uses historical climate dates to help producers make informed decisions when plans change.
- Assessing soybean emergence - Assessing soybean emergence will help Michigan producers detect problems early enough to make timely management decisions and take corrective measures if warranted.