Ask Carl: Switching Maturities
Q: When should I switch to an earlier maturity?
A: The Sky is Falling, The Sky is Falling…
Ok, maybe not. But as I write this, there is rain falling. And the forecast talks of snow. And parts of our region are under a winter storm watch.
A year ago on this date we were planting corn.
So is it time to revisit my 2011 cropping plan? Do I need to switch to earlier corn hybrids? Switch some of my corn acres to soybeans. Do I still want to plant wheat?
Obviously, those questions are as individual as each of your farms. The answer is clear. “It depends.”
Here is my answer for my farm: I am not changing any of my plans until at least May 15th. Studies have shown that full season corn hybrids still have a yield advantage over shorter season hybrids until around May 20th. Yes the corn will be wetter, but with new crop corn prices tickling $6.00, I am willing to take that risk.
We will plant full season soybean varieties until at least June 5th. Soybeans are more light sensitive than heat sensitive and we have many years of experience that tells us that our best varieties in the middle of May are still our best varieties at the end of May.
The National Weather Service’s 3 Month Temperature Outlook forecasts a 54% probability of normal or above normal temperatures for May-June-July. Normally that forecast would be for a 67% probability. While that is certainly an increased risk, I need to see a few more weeks of weather before I make any changes.
Oh, and I mentioned that a year ago on this date we were planting corn and that is true. But it is also true that in the 3rd week of May we replanted more than half of that corn due to cold ponded soils in early May. And we still had a pretty good crop.
