Corn- The soil temperature at the 2-4 inch depth is averaging 60-65°F and is following the air temperature. Soil temperatures at the 8 inch depth are slowly rising, and are averaging 50-55°F, with soil temperatures that cool there has been little chance of Nitrogen applied last fall from leaching.
Corn plant development is from germination to V2 (2nd leaf corn) with corn that is V2 being 3-4 inches tall. We are seeing stand loss on all planting dates with some of the early planted corn (April 15-25) having a higher percentage loss than others. On average our stands look very good considering some of the conditions they were planted into, with less stand loss than expected. Most of the moisture we received came in slow rains, which was very helpful in getting corn to poke through some of the less than ideal planting conditions that Mother Nature gave us to work with.
Corn that was planted on April 15-25 is averaging 250 Growing Degree Units (GDU’s) with corn planted on May 5 averaging 225 GDU’s. We have picked up 130 GDU’s in the last 2 weeks which has allowed the corn that was planted in the middle of May to emerge.
With all the moisture we have had this spring the producers who had a pre-emerge herbicide put on last fall or early this spring are getting very good control from it. Even with that good control we are still seeing weeds especially Giant Ragweed popping through. When the weather does start to warm up and the ground and wind conditions allow us to spray, both the corn and the weeds will be growing rapidly, make sure to use a quality drift control product to help keep your herbicide on your crop and be very careful in utilizing Growth Regulator type of products (Marksman, Clarity) on your corn crop. With the corn crop set to grow as fast as it is, adding a Growth regulator product to the tank increases the potential for Greensnap, especially for Northern, Early Health and Late Health genetic types.
Tissue Testing- With air and soil temperatures being as cool as they are the likelihood of having a nutrient deficiency is greater. It is recommended that tissue sampling start at V3-V4 corn, and with as fast as corn is growing I would sample it at V3 to get your results back and make any applications before V6. Last year producers who tissue tested and put on ZMB or other nutrient products saw a 3-5 bushel/acre increase.
Listed below are guidelines for Corn and Soybeans Maturity based on Planting Date for our area.
Corn
|
|||||||||||
Soybeans
| Prior to May 20 | May 20 to June 20 | June 20 to July 10 | High Risk Date |
| Late Group 1 to Mid Group 2 | Late Group 1 | Mid Group 1 to Early Group 0 | 5-Jul |
If you are planting soybeans later into June, it is recommended that you increase your plant populations or plant those beans into narrower rows. By increasing the plant population or narrowing the rows you force the plant to put on vegetation increasing leaf area and height of the plant. The reason for this is that soybeans being phototropic (day-length sensitive) will initiate flowing shortly after the longest day of the year, regardless of the height of the plant. By increasing the height of the plant prior to the flowering date you raise the pod set height for that plant making for an easier harvest.
Prevented Planting dates for corn is May 31 and soybean are June 10. If you have questions regarding prevented planting and how it affects you situation contact your crop insurance agent or your Central Valley Agronomist and we will help you with this issue.
Soybeans- Soybeans that have been planted are at germination to VC (Cotyledon stage) with average height of beans at 1 inch. At this time we haven’t seen any Bean Leaf Beetles but have run into some Pythium root rot in cooler wetter soils that did not have a seed treatment on.
Central Valley Website-If you have a chance check out the updated Central Valley website at www.centralvalleycoop.com We do have other Agronomy news posted on this site as well as updates on the markets and weather.
Answer Plot Dates-Our next Answer Plot sessions in Hayfield is Monday, June 13 8:30 AM
Monsanto School Grant- Monsanto is allowing schools to apply for a $25,000 grant. One of the criteria used to award the grant is the amount of farmer support for the schools. The more nominations for a particular school district, the better their chances of getting the grant. Listed below is the link for this nomination process. http://www.monsanto.com/americasfarmers/Pages/grow-rural-education.aspx We do have hard copies of this information at your local Central Valley Coop Agronomy location.
