Patience is a virtue, and as the saying goes, a late Easter often means a late spring. In April, soil temperatures and ground conditions in central Illinois and Iowa were still not conducive to begin planting.
In Illinois, agriculture is a $19 billion industry. The weather plays a significant role in the success or failure of our farmers. Tillable Farmland Managers Ross Albert and Mason Troendle weigh in regarding this year’s planting season.
“A few field cultivators, sprayers, and ammonia rigs ran last week but were very limited. A few beans got snuck in, but conditions were less than ideal,” says Albert, who farms in McLean and DeWitt Counties in Illinois.
“We probably won’t see planting on Tillable managed farms until the end of April this year because the soils are still not up to temp in most areas,” Troendle said, whose home base is Iowa. Temperatures in Iowa have been volatile, with significant snowfall in late March and April paired with thunderstorms generating multiple tornadoes.
The growing season is defined as the number of days between the last spring freeze and the first fall freeze. More days in the growing season mean more time for plants to grow and farmers to adjust to weather conditions. High-yielding crops come from uniform and well-populated plant stands. To achieve this, growers are looking for 50 degrees and warming soil temperatures and dry soil conditions leading to uniform soil density. Some parts of the midwest are cold and dry; others are cold and wet. Soil temps in dry soils will respond the quickest when spring and average temperatures do arrive. Farms that are well tiled have the advantage of removing moisture to allow for early planting.
The weather forecast shows many chances for rain and days with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s, opening windows for some to plant a few acres soon. Currently, Illinois and Iowa temperatures are in the mid to high 40s and depending on the area, some fields are dry enough to plant, and some will be dry within days of the last rain event.
This delay is adding fuel to the already bullish sentiment in grain prices.
We can’t let impatience tempt us to “mud in” this crop, says Albert. Commodities are at all-time highs. This year, 2022, is the highest valued crop year operators have ever planted. Planting in the right conditions will yield the highest financial return.
Farmers will most likely be very patient to plant through April. The amount of money they will be investing in fuel and have already invested in inputs will ensure they are as efficient and effective as possible this year.
Tillable Farm Land Management service monitors our farms’ planting conditions, ensuring planting occurs when soil conditions are optimal to foster a successful crop.
Planting may be delayed this year, but getting valuable data and insights on your farmland doesn’t have to be. Schedule a free farm review and understand how your farm is performing.
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