Plenty to consider as farmers weigh early planting

By Justin R. Lessman

Brian Hefty is ready to plant corn.

Well, maybe not, but it sure seemed like he could be on yet another unseasonably warm day late last month as he spoke with farmers at the Jackson Farm and Home Show in Jackson.

"I'm ready to plant today," Hefty joked with farmers. "It looks like April out there. The snow's gone and, in a lot of cases, the ground is thawed."

Hefty, CEO of Baltic, S.D.-based Hefty Seed Co. and cohost of Ag PhD TV and Radio — not to men- tion a fourth-generation farmer — served as a keynote ag presenter at the annual farm and home show in Jackson on Feb. 24. As part of his presentation, he discussed early planting — specifically, putting corn seed into the ground when soil temperatures are at around 40 degrees.

"There is a good chance a lot of people will plant real early this year," Hefty said.

The first rule of early planting, Hefty said, is to not do so before the crop insurance date. Secondly, the soil can be cold, he said, but it must be dry. And third, he added, farmers should plant corn hybrids recommended for 40 degrees.

Jeffrey Strock, University of Minnesota professor of soil, water and climate at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, said Hefty is not alone in eyeing an early plant date this year.

"Growers have been discussing the possibility of early planting this season," Strock said. "While we don't really know what March and April will bring, it may be pos- sible if the current trend holds."

Like Hefty, Strock said there are certain constraints placed on how early farmers can actually plant based on crop insurance. That said, he added, conditions could be ripe for planting small grains, spring wheat and oats.

"For growers that plant cover crops like rye, this could be a spring where they grow rapidly, so management will be important," he said.

Despite all the talk of early planting this year, Hefty and Strock said, Mother Nature will still have the final say.

"We know the weather is fickle," Strock said. "Wait five minutes; things are likely to change."

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