HAT Farmer Field Update: Too Wet, Too Cold, Keeps Planting Progress Slow
Weekend rain and frosty temperatures are keeping the pace of planting in Indiana slow. JR Roesner is one of the newer members of the Hoosier Ag Today farmer field team. He told HAT that, in Sullivan county where he farms, it has been too cold and wet the past few days to get back in the field, “We have only had a few days of fieldwork. On our farm, we have about 25% of our corn planted.” He added some of his neighbors have more corn planted while others have yet to start. Weekend rains have delayed a return to the fields by Roesner until mid-week.
Sunday night temperatures in many parts of the state dipped into the mid 30s. Roesner said the near frost did not do any damage but it did not help things either, “The corn crop is not in the state where we would see any damage; the wheat is probably more of a concern.” He said the overnight lows Sunday did not dip as low as predicted but, “Any corn that is trying to emerge is definitely having a struggle.”
Not only has the soil been too wet, but weeds are causing problems for planting this year, “We have had some real issues with marestail that had not emerged but had germinated when we spayed our burndown; and, as a result, have come through and will need to be treated again.” The good soil moisture and late start to fieldwork have given many winter annuals a head start this season.
He has no plans to switch hybrids or crops but that could be an option, “A few more rains and we might be considering a change.” He said getting the crop planted as quickly as possible is a top priority to try and avoid any yields reduction caused by late planting.
Hear the complete report with JR Roesner in the audio section of the Hoosier Ag Today app for Smartphones and tablets.