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Question

This morning, May 12, a local farmer asked about planting depth for his soybeans in our currently dry soils.

Recommendations

I would suggest a planting depth for soybeans in the 1 inch to 1.5 inch depth. I try to plant my own soybeans in our stale seed bed at 1-to-1.25 inches of depth. Tomorrow, May 13—a week after planting the soybeans on May 6—they should be poking out of the ground.

Remember to plant one bag of soybean seeds per acre, roughly 140,000 seeds per acre.

On Monday, May 5, 2014, we planted our corn plots at the Agronology 10 Research Center. Our 8:00 a.m. soil temperature was 44°F at 4 inches of depth. By the next day—May 6—our 8:00 a.m. soil temperature had risen to 48°F.

On May 6, we planted our soybean plots. In the last 10 years—2005 thru 2014—I have only once planted corn in May; however, during this 10 year period, I have planted soybean 5 times in May.

Our April 2014 rainfall amounts were 2.2 inches ahead of our normal April rainfall of 3.59 inches. Most of this rainfall came late in April—24 thru 29—with 3.52 inches measured.

For many individuals, weather is a major question or concern this spring. I will reflect that last year (2013), I was planting corn on April 30 and soybeans on May 1 at our Agronology 10 Research Center. This year, I am waiting for the soil to dry out to begin planting.

Some people have commented that they were considering shallower planting with our cool to cold weather. I explained why I wanted them to maintain the 2 inch planting depth for corn and 1 inch planting depth for soybean.

Question

Have we lost some N this spring?

Answer

With the cold weather and lack of massive rainfall this April, little or no N has been lost.

Again, this year I have been supplied soybean seeds with 85% warm germination or less. There has been no offer of a price reduction for this lower germination seed.

Last year, with some 80% germ seed compared to 90% germ seed, I found about 3000 fewer plants per acre in our early stand counts.

I am wondering what has happened to our quality control on seed corn production which allows the farmer to receive 80,000 kernel counts to weigh from the low to middle 60 lbs. per bag.

Yes, I do remember when a bag of starter fertilizer—in the old days—went from 80 lbs. per bag to 50 lbs. per bag.

 

All I can do is make comments as I try to understand our current weather conditions.

Current weather conditions

First, we feel that significant corn yield decreases will normally begin about May 10.

Secondly, wait until the soil conditions are dry enough before attempting to plant.

Third, last week from April 21-25, I recorded maximum air temperatures ranging from 80°F to 58°F and minimum air temperatures ranging from 55°F to a low of 36°F. The all-important soil temperatures at 4” depth in the morning stayed 45°F or warmer during this volatile weather period.

 

Today is April 15, which is tax day for most of us.

Observations

Yesterday, by mid-morning a light snow was falling. This morning, the air temperature was 34° F. Soil temperatures at 4 inches of depth were 32° F at 8:30 am.

Recommendations

Don’t rush your move to the fields to plant your corn. Normally, we would like the 4 inch depth soil temperatures to be 50° F and rising before we begin planting.

Remember that the soil temperatures the day we plant and the next day are critical for the germinating corn plant.

 

Observations

On Monday, April 7, 2014, at 8:00 a.m. I measured soil temperatures at 4 inch depth in both corn and soybean ground. The previous crop soybean ground was 38° F while the previous crop corn ground was only 36° F. With air temperatures (minimum temperatures) approaching 30° F. several days in a row, I have not observed much in the way of early weed growth.

On April 2, 2014, we sprayed (broadcast) our herbicides for both corn and soybeans. In addition, we dribble banded our spring N application. In these dribble band N applications, we included an application of Instinct—a Nitrogen nitrification inhibitor.

Why should you try a stale seedbed planting this year?

• Reduces your expenses by not performing a secondary tillage operation.
• Allows you the opportunity to plant your crop earlier.
• Allows you to utilize available labor for planting.
• Less soil erosion since the soil isn’t tilled in the spring.

 

Methods for improving your nitrogen use (NUE) in corn.

Employ multiple N application opportunities:

• Apply 20-to-50 lbs. N with the dribble banded P&K in the fall.
  • Apply 20-to-30 lbs. N or more with your herbicides in the spring.
  • Early spring, dribbled N on 15 inch centers may contain sulfur, zinc, boron, and nitrification inhibitors. This opportunity may replace your current side dress option. The N rates can vary from 50-to-100 lbs. N/A.
  • Side dress 30-to-50 lbs. N/A.
  • Include up to 20 lbs. N/A with your starter fertilizer application in a 2×2 location.
• Utilize a nitrification inhibitor.
  • Apply with your largest N application.
  • Can also be added to your side dress N application.

In a recently published article in Fluid Journal, Vol. 22, No. 2, Issue 84, by Dr. Dale Leikam, he quite masterfully described why fluids should be utilized in our crop production systems.

Five advantages for liquid

• Logistics: The organization, distribution, handling, and application of crop nutrients ease of handling—just pump it.
• Right Rate: Apply the desired rate uniformity across the application swath homogenous solution with each drop having the same nutrient composition.
• Flexibility: Fluids fit all crop nutrient placements, application methods, and nutrient timing.
• Agronomic: Research has documented a strong history of providing high nutrient use efficiency (NUE), high yields, and environmental stewardship.
• Value: Its high return to the farm relative to its cost.

 

If you are considering starter fertilizer for your corn, study the attributes of our 6-24-6-.25Zn pop-up starter.

Attributes of the 6-24-6-.25 Zn pop-up starter

• Fertilizer can be placed directly on the seed—low salt index.
• Use rate is 3-to-5 gallons/a, 33.6—56.1 lbs. product/a—low use rate.
• Meets the early nutritional needs for the plant.
• Crop insurance against adverse weather conditions for the plant—too hot, too cold, too wet, and too dry.
• Corn yields can be increased.
• Required equipment investment is limited.