What a Roller Coaster Ride

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Grower Blog

Jonesboro, September, 15 2009

Weather

I think you would have to go back a way in history to find three springs quite like 07, 08 and 09! What a roller coaster ride. An "early planted" crop is now the exception, rather than the rule. These last three planting seasons have been quite challenging.

Replanting

I'm getting more questions lately about replanting corn. If you have water backing out or standing on the bottom of a field, I would suggest replanting these areas to an early hybrid (110-111 RM) when conditions allow. This will help compensate for the time of planting difference. If you are in a situation where you have to replant an entire field, I would replant to a mid or full season hybrid. The mid to full season maturity hybrids will be more "forgiving" for later planting. If you have to plant a field over and you have not used Atrazine, you may want to consider planting soybeans, particularly if we get into late May or early June.

Weed Control

Needless to say, weed control on corn is going to be a challenge this year. Wet field conditions are delaying timely applications of corn herbicides. Roundup Ready 2 corn has a longer window of application, BUT if we wait too long, then we have coverage issues. There are some products that have specific leaf stage application cutoffs. Most "early post" programs can go out as soon as we have a stand of corn. There may be a need to aerially apply if we can dodge the neighboring crops.

Side Dress N Application

Rainy, wet weather is playing havoc on side dress N applications as well. Most of the March planted corn is in the V6 stage. V6 - V8 is the first "rapid growth" stage for corn. This is the stage where kernel rows are set on the ear. Limiting nutrients or moisture at this stage will affect kernel row development. Don’t delay N applications! Get it out at the earliest opportunity during weather breaks. Agrotain will help stabilize the N.

Irrigation

I know this may sound weird right now, but eventually we will have to irrigate our corn. While it is too wet to plant, this may be a good time to lay polypipe. That will be one job out of the way when it finally dries up and planting activity gets back into full swing.

Always follow grain marketing and IRM requirements and pesticide label directions. B.t. traited products may not be registered in all states. Check with your seed representative for registration status in your area. Acceleron™, Acceleron and Design™, Genuity™, Genuity and Design™, Genuity Icons, Processor Preferred and Design®, Roundup®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design™, VT Triple PRO™, YieldGard®, YieldGard VT and Design®, YieldGard VT Rootworm/RR2®, and YieldGard VT Triple® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Respect the Refuge and Corn Design® is a registered trademark of National Corn Growers Association. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2009 Monsanto Company. Belle™ and Southern to the Cob™ is a trademark of Cullum Seeds, LLC.