Don’t Fear Delayed Planting
With grower's eager to start planting, many are reporting variability in the readiness of their fields. With memories of conditions a year ago at this time, growers can rest easy knowing that data from the last year's growing season shows that planting date doesn't necessarily have a generally negative impact on yields.
Indiana researchers agree. According to a Purdue University article, to date, very little corn has been planted in Indiana. In the Hoosier state, little spring fieldwork has been completed due to recent, excessive rains. After reviewing USDA-NASS crop progress reports from the past 18 years, it was determined that there is not a strong relationship between planting date and yield. Planting date is but one of many yield influencing factors. Early planting is one of a number of other yield-influencing factors afect the ultimate yield for a given year.
While you can't control Mother Nature, you can control the steps you take to keep your fields healthy and weed-free. Remember the importance of scouting fields, and including pre-emergence residual herbicides, especially when it comes to glyphosate weed resistance management.
While planting time is important, planting date is only one of many factors influencing the yield of corn. One clear correlation can be made from the '08 data, according to Iowa State University Extension specialists, no matter when it's is planted (within reason), soil conditions will ultimately dictate how the crop responds.