With the current season fresh on your mind, beware the temptation to base too much of your 2022 plan on what you encountered in 2021, cautions Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist and owner of Crop-Tech Consulting, Heyworth, Ill.
“We’re gaining a ton of good information this fall, but it’s going to need to be sorted through very carefully to see what it’s really telling us,” Ferrie says. “Be careful making any major changes to your operation, based on the results of one year.
“If your past plan has been working, don’t throw out what you know for something that you don’t know anything about or something that’s unknown,” he adds.
For instance, Ferrie says if one of your lead corn hybrids took a yield beating this year for some reason but has performed well over multiple years, it probably still has a place in your lineup for 2022.
“Don’t throw out hybrids just because you’ve been told they’re old, and that the new kid is here to replace them,” he advises. “Keep those hybrids as long as they continue to perform, and make the new kids earn their way into the lineup through performance.”
A couple of additional reminders:
Start gathering available data and information from 2021 for review. Here is a list of things you’ll want to start assembling:
The original cropping plan you put together for this season, as well as any details that changed as the season unfolded.
Planting and tillage records.
List of varieties and hybrids used.
Fungicide, insecticide and fertilizer application records.
Aerial pictures, drone images and any other in-season visuals.
Feedback from each member of your team on what stands out in their mind about the season, problems identified and solutions provided.
“Include any notes scribbled down in your pocket notebooks as well,” Ferrie adds. “Include invoices for any products you purchased, which can often tell you the total amount of what went on the field.”
Plan now to assemble your team to review yield maps and accompanying information. The team includes everyone you relied on to get the 2021 crop in the field, through the growing season, harvested and then in the bin.
Set the date for late fall or early winter for a day when you know you can get everyone in a room together.
Ferrie offers a harvest update in this week’s Boots In The Field podcast, as well as some additional planning pointers for 2022. Get them here:
