Seven ideas for a successful 2021 crop

Feb. 19, 2021

Every year, we learn new things. Below are seven lessons learned in 2020 from Todd Jeffries, vice president of Seed Genetics Direct, and Dave Nanda, Ph.D., SGD director of genetics.

1.       Have a plan. Come up with a plan and stick to it as much as possible. You picked the best hybrids and soybean varieties for your farms. Just because it’s getting late in May or early June doesn’t mean it’s better to switch to earlier hybrids that might not be ideal for your soil. Early hybrids often don’t have the same disease and stress tolerance package as fuller season hybrids.

2.       Plant early soybean varieties early. Soybeans are an important part of the crop mix, and corn and soybean planting decisions intertwine. If you want to plant an early soybean variety, plant it early, and make sure it is protected with fungicides and insecticides. An early soybean planted at an early date should yield well and will help space out harvest. Then that ground would be ready for wheat or cover crop seeding early.

3.       Get the basics right. Even emergence and spacing are very critical for good yields. Multiple studies have shown that corn which emerges quickly and uniformly is evenly spaced has more desirable yields. Seed-to-soil contact with the correct down pressure is a must. So, make sure the planter is working correctly and the ground is fit. Testing the planter on a small strip before you get going on your whole farm is always a good idea.

4.       Choose genetics that work for you. While we all chase yield to a certain degree, agronomics are often overlooked. Return on investment is paramount in unpredictable times. To get the best ROI, select genetics that have proven to work on your ground and with your management style. If you’re not going to use foliar fungicides, don’t choose hybrids with poor disease ratings just because the hybrid places in the state corn growers’ contest.

5.       Plant when it feels right. Be ready to plant as early as practical for your farm. In most cases, early planting pays off unless you happen to plant on a “bad” day. While we can’t predict the worst day for planting, pay attention to weather. Planting in wet soils or when there is a high percentage of rain in the forecast will lead to root issues and soil compaction almost every time.

6.       Control weeds early. Yes, early weeds do hurt yields because they affect how crop plants react to their neighbors, and that affects yields. Besides, if you want to control glyphosate-resistant weeds, you must jump on them when they’re still young with the appropriate herbicides.

7.       Use foliar fungicides if needed. How much you should invest in the crop depends on your planting date and crop growth. Fungicides can be cost-effective if used properly. In a very late planted corn crop like in 2019, fungicides can delay maturity by keeping plants alive too long.