Due to the frequent rainfall this spring, many farmers in Iowa were racing against the May 31st final planting date to ensure full crop insurance coverage on their planted corn acres. Because of the race against the calendar not all corn was planted in ideal conditions, which can lead to agronomic issues later in the growing season.
In addition, some growers are now planting during the late planting period for corn which runs from June 1st to June 25th. During the late period the revenue guarantee for corn reduces by 1% for each day planting is delayed after May 31st.
Eric Bartels is an agronomist with Beck’s Hybrids and he says that late planted corn is typically at a disadvantage to corn planted earlier in the planting window.
Despite the potential for yield loss in corn that was planted late, overall soil moisture conditions have improved greatly this spring. Many areas of the state that were suffering extensive drought in growing season 2023 have replenished soils thanks to consistent rainfall this spring.
Bartels says that there are many resources available from Beck’s to help with management strategies for late planted corn. Beck’s uses agronomic data from its Practical Farm Research (PFR) program to help growers better manage their farms.
That was Eric Bartels, Beck’s Hybrids agronomist, based in northwest Iowa. For more information visit https://www.beckshybrids.com/research/practical-farm-research
