Ag Partners Agronomic Insights
 Matt Pettis Le Center |
 Zach Hinsch Wanamingo |
 Gary Seuss Stewartville |
 Brady Kinneman Ellsworth |
Special Guest Contributor Hailey Hausladen, Elgin
A View From Above
Featuring Hailey Hausladen
You may have seen a helicopter fly over some alfalfa fields last week. Join me in the field to learn more! – Hailey
WEST
We were fortunate enough to have a good start in many areas, however multiple rain events have had us stopped for the past 2 weeks. The fields are still plenty wet but hopeful we can miss these next potential rain chances and be back in the field at the end of the week. There is no need to worry yet as it is still early enough to get our corn in the ground and achieve good yield potential. I know everyone wants to get in the field and get the planting over with, but a little patience goes a long way. We do not want to increase our chances for compaction and sidewall smearing by planting into wet soils. We are starting to see some of the earlier planted corn and soybeans start to emerge, so checking stand counts and emergence will be on the agenda for the coming days. The forecast shows some promising days ahead of warmer weather and hopefully we’ll be back in the fields very soon! Let’s continue to have a safe and fun planting season! – Matt
– Zach
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After an early start to the planting season, the frequent and substantial rains we’ve received throughout the entire Ag Partners geography have saturated the fields and kept the planters sitting in the sheds for 2 weeks now.
While we’re waiting for fields to dry out and get back to planting, I thought I’d check the progression and emergence of some corn and soybean fields planted earlier in the season. Below are pictures of corn and soybeans both planted April 14, 2024. The corn was planted at 2” deep and as of Tuesday May 7th had about ½” of growth to reach emergence. The soybeans were planted at 1.5” and are just beginning to crack the surface and begin emerging.
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Corn requires around 120 GDUs to emerge and soybeans need about 130 GDUs. Using a Growing Degree Unit calculator, these fields have received about 144 GDUs since planting, which puts the emergence of these fields right on track. Depending on field conditions, sometimes a couple fewer or couple extra GDUs are needed for crop emergence.
When the weather cooperates and allows us back into the fields, let’s remember to not rush back to planting until the fields are fit. I know we all like to get the crop planted as early as possible to give us the best shot for top yields, but tillage or planting into soil that is too wet can create unfavorable growing conditions that result in significant yield loss.
Have a safe and productive remainder of Spring! – Gary
Join me in the video below to learn more on how we create VRT recommendations, utilizing our AYS platform. – Brady
