Being proactive versus reactive is best practice for many things in life, and the same is true for farming. Growers may not be able to predict the weather or harvest outcomes, but there are several elements they can plan for prior to planting season to help set the path for yield success. Understanding soil composition, knowing the history of a field, and having a thorough knowledge of the products that are available in your region are all things growers can do to help plan ahead for the 2023 planting season. Here are a few must-haves our experts recommend for an effective 2023 planting plan.
Must-have No. 1: A soil fertility plan.
Hopefully, by now you have the results from your latest soil tests. If not, there’s still time to test and get your results back from the lab. Knowing your soil fertility is necessary for any solid planting plan, but it’s even more critical in a year where we’re unsure if certain inputs will be available. It’s critical to find out what your fields are lacking and map out the replacements you need to replenish those soils, and devising a Plan B if inputs aren’t readily available will help stave off any hurried, last-minute decisions. And don’t forget the sulfur!
Must-have No. 2: A history of insect and disease pressure for each field.
Chances are that any insect or disease pressure that has previously impacted your fields may present itself again in 2023. Highlighting these past pressures and specific strategies you can take to prevent or mitigate the issues should they occur again will be valuable in stopping the problem before it affects yield. Whether it’s finding the right trait package for tackling corn borer and corn rootworm or a seed treatment that provides a combination fungicide and insecticide package, there are options out there, and they should be a part of your plan!
Must-have No. 3: A report on field conditions.
Let’s face it, there is always that one field (or two) that, no matter what you try, just won’t perform as well as the others. Understanding your field conditions and how each field performs each year can determine what product to place, where certain inputs make sense and timing for planting. Other considerations should include moisture level, compaction risk, and ground temperatures. We always recommend avoiding planting into wet, cool and water-logged soil to prevent sidewall compaction and poor seed-to-soil contact. And a good benchmark for ground temperatures is to ensure the temperature is holding steady at 50 degrees for at least three days before planting. This will help with good germination and emergence.
Must-have No. 4: A planting timeframe.
While desired planting dates may change, you can still map out the fields you want to plant first. Our experts recommend starting with the fields where you’re placing hybrids with a good emergence score as those hybrids need to get in the ground first. They also recommend starting with the best hybrid for cooler soil temps and then moving forward down the line to achieve optimum emergence and plant stand.
Must have No. 5: Your Stine® representative’s contact information.
Our team of highly dedicated regional sales agronomists and independent sales reps are available year-round to provide product and crop management knowledge. Have your rep’s email address and phone number on hand, and reach out whenever you need agronomic support — whether it’s to talk through your field conditions and planting timeline or to determine the best corn hybrid or soybean variety for your current situation. Unforeseen circumstances happen all of the time in farming, and our team of experts can help you determine if you need different seed or inputs as situations evolve.
For more tips on preparing an effective 2023 planting plan, contact your local sales rep. Stine can help you maximize the potential of each and every acre.