Ferrie: Four Ways to Scratch the Planting Itch Without Regret
Winter is quickly ticking by, and the countdown to the 2024 planting season is underway in some parts of farm country. Ken Ferrie says he is already fielding calls from Illinois growers who are asking about soybean planting dates, and he cautions farmers from going to fields too early.
Ferrie shares some quick math in this week’s Boots In The Field podcast on how he determines an early soybean planting window in central Illinois. He tells farmers there to identify the last freeze date for their area and to then back up their planting date from there by about 20 to 25 days.
The reason for backing up from the last freeze date that far is because it takes about three weeks for April-planted soybeans to emerge from the ground. Building in those days helps to minimize – though not eliminate – the chance of a late frost dinging the crop.
“Here in McLean County, the last freeze date according to our historical weather data is May 3. So, you back up from there and it's going to put you in that April 9 timeframe for planting. This timing will increase your odds of not having to replant if you get a freeze like we had last year on April 23,” says Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist and owner of Crop-Tech Consulting, Heyworth, Ill.
Insurance Considerations
Ferrie says this planting timing estimate is an approximation only, and there are other factors to take into consideration before heading to the field.
“These would include your insurance dates, and whether or not you are carrying early plant insurance,” he says. “Also, when those beans sit in the ground 20 or 25 days they need to be protected with seed treatments. We don't want to be dealing with sudden death syndrome later in the season.”
While you wait for planting season to start, there is a lot of prep work and projects that can help set you up for success when you do finally roll into fields.
Here are four recommendations, Ferrie offers:
1. Send seed samples off to your local lab to have them tested for vigor.
That will give you time to potentially switch out seed varieties and hybrids prior to planting, or change when and where you plant those products, if test results come back less than satisfactory.
2. Go over planters so planting is done efficiently and, hopefully, with no or few delays.
“Let's be sure that we don't overlook some of the simple things such as worn closing wheel assemblies – those foundational pieces that just need to be in place,” Ferrie advises.
In addition, inspect everything involved with seed transmission: chains, sprockets, bearings, idlers and clutch assembly, including all of the components involved in seed metering, as well as the meter itself.
“Be careful not to jump the starting line when it comes to tillage and put a compaction layer in that will keep on given the whole season long,” he adds. “2024 could be your biggest crop of your career, so let's not knock it off target with that first tillage pass that we're going to make.
"You know, while a sterile seed bed is a sweet place to plant into, a sterile seed bed on top of a compaction layer will bring trouble later in the growing season,” he says.
3. Do a grow out to check for potential herbicide carryover.
Ferrie says he’s a bit nervous some of the chemistries used in central Illinois fields last season might still be in soils this spring. Adequate moisture to activate those chemistries was hard to find because of how dry last May and June were.
“The herbicides of concern will be those that have a 10-month cropping restriction,” he says. “The fields with the higher risk are those that didn't receive tillage last fall to dilute the herbicides deeper into the surface.”
To do a grow out, start by collecting soil from fields at risk, going only an inch to an inch and a half deep for collection purposes.
“Collect that sample in your possible overlap zones – that would be on the ends and the corners – and then collect a second sample in the field away from any of the overlap zones,” Ferrie advises. “Spread the soil out in a pan in a heated shop and plant some soybeans, oats and corn in that pan. Keep it watered in the shop window to try and trigger growth.
“Watch this grow out for potential herbicide symptoms, especially when the plants transfer from the seed starch to the root system. With any luck all three crops will grow without a glitch. If the grow out shows herbicide issues, it gives you some time to think about your options before sticking expensive seed in the ground.”
4. While you’re digging dirt for the grow out, consider where you might want to put bait stations in fields for wireworms and grubs.
“If you remember that process, we dig a hole about 6" deep and bury a mixture of untreated corn seed and wheat,” Ferrie says. “You can soak those seeds overnight if you want, because we want them to decompose. Put the seed in the hole, cover it with dirt, and put a piece of black plastic over the top to help warm up the soil.”
As the seed starts to decompose, it will draw the insects to it if they’re present. Just ahead of planting, Ferrie says to dig back into the seed and look for the presence of wireworms or grubs. What yoiu find in the process can then guide initial insecticide application decisions.
Ferrie adds that the highest risk areas for these two pests are usually south-facing slopes in a field or any place with unexplained stand issues you found the last time the field was in corn.
To hear more of Ferrie’s recommendations on pre-planting projects that will pay dividends this season, check out these additional articles and his latest Boots In The Field podcast below:
Ferrie: Does Spring Or Fall Horizontal Tillage Cause More Density Layers?
Just Chillin’ Sounds Fun but it’s Hard on Seed Corn
Planter Maintenance Tip: Now Is the Time to Replace Closing Wheel Frame Bushings With Bearing Kits
Earlier Vs. Later: How Have Corn and Soybean Planting Dates Changed in the Past 20 Years
Product Guide: Expanding Opportunities In The Planter Box
9 Steps to a Perfect Corn Stand
The New Art of Hybrid Selection to Overcome Field Stresses
