Scattered showers moved across Indiana this week. Reports from some fields say the rains have come just in time to avoid a replant. Pioneer field agronomist Brian Bush says in his area of South Central Indiana, the 2 inches of rain that fell this week came just in time, “There is an area between Greensburg, Franklin, and Seymour that really needed this rain.” He said corn in this area had been planted between April 11 and April 13 and was in very dry soil, “If we had not gotten this rain, we would have been looking at replant.” He the soil has now been recharged; and, with the warming temperatures this week, the stand should be off to a good start.
This area was also hit with some hail and pounding rain, something Bush says may have done some damage, “There is some concern about the corn that was planted just ahead of this storm. The pounding rain may have hardened the ground and would make emergence difficult.” Localized flooding may also pose a problem for some fields. Hail was reported in some areas on Tuesday evening, and some counties in Western Indiana received up to 3 inches of rain. Bush estimates that planting is nearing the 3/4 mark this week in most areas of South Central Indiana, although areas in Jennings County and south are further behind.
Bush told that HAT insect pressure is also a becoming a factor, “Black cutworm populations are at very high levels.” Bush urges growers to check their fields and, if necessary, to take action to control the pests. Listen to the complete report with Brian Bush on the Pioneer agronomy page.
[audio:https://www.hoosieragtoday.com//wp-content/uploads//2012/05/bushwrap.mp3|titles=Rains Come Just in Time for South Central Indiana Corn ]