#Plant2025 for Success
You’ve weighed the agronomics and the economics — and now the planter is rolling. The decisions don’t stop, though. The weather changes plans, equipment breaks and pests pop up. Every step plays a role in the success of your planting season as well as the growing and harvest seasons to come.
Camaraderie is cathartic. It lifts spirits, gives encouragement and reminds all of us we are valuable. Check out what farmers have to say about this year’s corn crop – the good, the bad and the in-between – and may their experiences lighten your load in the process.
More reports of ‘overly tight tassel wrap’ are coming in across the Corn Belt – including from the reigning world champion corn grower. Hula shares how he strategically uses his planter to minimize pollination risks.
This year’s program features all new agronomic content to help farmers grow and harvest high-yielding crops. Two of the key sessions: selecting a corn planter that’s right for your farm, and developing a systems approach to success with early-season soybeans. We look forward to seeing you there!
Wheat streak mosaic virus decimated some fields this season, say K-State Extension specialists. The problem is also showing up and expanding in other key wheat-producing states. What farmers do this fall will determine whether the disease is reined in or takes off again next season.
As one of the most important early season nutrients, Farm Journal field agronomist Ken Ferrie explains the best way to manage phosphorus is one you’ve probably heard of before.
The problem occurs at a specific growth stage – typically between V3 and V5 – as the corn seed roots are handing off their jobs to the first two sets of true crown roots.
From emergence to maturity, nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for corn, but plants have different nitrogen demands at different growth stages. Consider how corn yields are influenced by nitrogen at VE, V6, V10-V12 and R5-R6.
How can you know whether your corn crop has strong yield potential? It doesn’t have to be a mystery, say David Hula and Randy Dowdy. Their practical tips will help you make good input decisions this season for better outcomes at harvest.
While most states anticipate a reduction in their total number of cotton acres, some exceptions exist. Farmers in Arizona, Virginia and Kansas are expected to plant more cotton than their respective 3-year averages.
According to USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report, 74% of the Illinois corn crop is planted, which is three points behind average, but a 20-point jump in just a week. Illinois farmer Brent Johnson says his May planted corn has been his best yielding corn the past few years.
If you have corn and soybeans affected by recent wind and dust storms, consider pushing pause for a few days to evaluate crops before applying post herbicides and making other product applications that could create additional stress for the plants.
Be proactive in evaluating crop emergence and uniformity. That information will help you make timely, informed decisions that are best for your farm and your financial needs this season.
Knowing the final plant population as well as the uniformity of the stand can guide you in deciding whether you will benefit most from keeping the current crop or ripping it out and replanting, says Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.
2025 has been a record setting planting season for Mike Madsen and many farmers in Southern Minnesota.
Make adjustments as you plant because when those final steps are done poorly, corn germinates unevenly and there’s no way to go back and undo the damage.
The forecast for May is pointing to a rapid warm up with rains across the drought-stricken Plains, but there’s a drier forecast for the heart of the Corn Belt. One meteorologist is concerned about the amount of dryness entering the picture.
Farmers are poised to climb past the halfway point this week following a slowdown in progress while Illinois planting remains behind the 5-year average.
One farmer who was chased out of fields by rain this past weekend told Farm Journal, “This is the wettest drought I have ever seen.” There are some silver linings, though: soil-applied herbicides are being activated, the U.S. corn crop won’t all pollinate the same week and you have time to make stand counts where the crop has emerged.
Despite wet weather, farmers are making serious progress with planting. Here’s an update on how the season is shaping up in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.
USDA’s latest crop progress report puts the country at 24% of corn and 18% of soybeans in the ground. Farmers are sharing timely rains and great conditions to start the season.
GDUs offer a more reliable method to predict corn emergence and development than using calendar days, according to yield champions David Hula and Randy Dowdy. They also offer their pro tip on how to assess planting and germination depth.
Learn about an Iowa plot trial that is looking at the yield boosting potential of strip cropping corn and cover crops.
“Sunlight drives photosynthesis, which drives starch production, which drives yield,” explains Ken Ferrie. If sunlight hits the ground, it’s wasted, so maximizing sunlight capture requires closing rows as quickly as possible.
As history has shown, more farmers hit the auction circuit during a down cycle in the farm economy. See what equipment is drawing strong prices.
Results from a new survey reveal that between 25% and 50% of corn and soybean growers adopt the use of cover crops when their trusted adviser has been planting them, as well.
Soil conditions, temperatures and weather outlook are finally aligned for planting in much of the Midwest. In the hurry to get the job done, keep in mind that to get a 300-bu. corn yield, you need to start with at least a 300-bu. picket-fence stand.
A handful of rain-free days were a perfect recipe for spring planting — and farmers took full advantage of the opportunity. This week’s USDA crop progress report puts corn and soybean acres just ahead of last year’s pace.
Farmers can make a poor planting scenario better by teaching their planter how to dance across fields. The practice is particularly helpful in wet soils.
High winds have posed plenty of problems for farmers trying to spray, and even plant, this spring. NOAA says it’s one of the windiest starts to the season on record, but the bigger question is how long will it last?
Iowa farmers say a foliar fungicide application can add more bushels per acre by preventing losses to disease pressure and minimizing the impact of environmental factors, such as heat stress and drought.