Corn Planting Time! – Soil Temps on 5/11/2021

The sun shines, planters are rolling….

The last soil temp survey for 2021:

Our soil temp taking crew made its final round of temp-taking on 5/11/2021.   A return to cool wet weather the week prior and a cold, gray windy day that day yielded cooler soil temps than previous weeks, however corn stubble fields still averaged 52° F, above the 50° minimum recommended for corn planting.  Sods averaged 49.2° F.   In general what we have observed is that the stubble ground has wider swings in temperature (cools down quicker and warms up quicker, especially where tilled or where there is no cover crop).  Sods are generally cooler, but also fluctuate less in temperature.  Across New York State planters are rolling after a stretch of rainy weather.

By the time you read this report it will be nearing the middle of May and we are in the midst of a great stretch of weather.   We should expect that from here on out soil temps will increase, and nearly all stubble fields are warm enough to plant (even if not dry enough).    First cutting hay harvest for high quality lactating dairy for finishing beef cattle feed is rapidly approaching target, so getting some acres of corn planted before having attention diverted to hay harvest might be a good strategy.

We recommend planting stubble ground anytime now if fields are dry enough to be on;

First year corn on sods killed this spring will be cooler, but probably are safe to plant as soon as dry enough to spray and work.  If they have not been sprayed yet, they should be immediately, – or take 1^st cutting and then spray.   Be sure to include either 2,4-D or dicamba at  1 pint per acre rate with glyphosate burn down for control of broadleaves.   Ammonium sulfate adjuvant is also highly recommended.

Winter cover crops on many fields are robust and many have not been terminated. Some farms might want to consider harvest of winter rye for forage to manage growth, especially if the rye is beginning to head out and they are using tillage as part of the strategy to terminate the rye.  If you are terminating with a herbicide, check the label for the herbicide you are using to adjust rates for height of rye.    Use of ammonium sulfate adjuvant is highly recommended to aid speed and completeness of burndown.

We will not be surveying soil temps across the county again in 2021.  If you want us to check a field(s) you are still concerned about, please contact us.   Happy planting and look for our reports again next year!

Below is a guide to recommended corn planting populations and the individual soil temp readings for last four weeks.