Too Eary to Plant Corn

We have reports of corn planted at least as far north as Springfield this week.  I have no reason to doubt the reports but I have not seen any planted fields.  I was working just north of Springfield.  The reports sparked an interesting discussion by email and on Twitter last night.  My regular readers know that I am an advocate of early planted corn, but March 13 might be pushing your luck.

Last night Randy Darr summed it up. "I think what is happening is that guys have been so frustrated over the last four years that they just can’t help themselves.  Good weather windows have been so narrow that they don’t want to chance it.  Also, they are very concerned that the drought that began in July of last year will linger on into the summer.  If (and this is a big if) the corn can get up and going, it will be on the downhill slope by the time our usual heat arrives in July.  If this warm pattern continues, they will all look like geniuses.  I don’t really agree with it but I understand it."  I can't say it any better.

I think if you are planting though you need to understand the risks and know your risk management strategy.  You are outside the point of crop insurance being a useful part of that strategy.  In Montgomery County, 1 year in 10 we can have a killing freeze of 28 degrees as late as April 17.  One year in 10 we can have 32 as late as April 25.  As an amateur weather observer, it looks like spring might be 2 weeks early, so maybe you can push those dates back 2 weeks.  That still puts a chance of that killing freeze at April 3, which is not a problem if you plant the last week of March. If your corn freezes off but the growing point is below the ground it will be OK.  It could be an  issue if your corn is 6 inches tall and the growing point freezes off.   

@featherchick, a Twitter friend points out  "finding seed for replanting this year could be a little bit of a challenge. Esp if you're trying to find it in mid-late April."  Joe Nester of Nester Ag Services in Ohio says,  "I’ve seen it happen a few times in the last 37 years, and they have gotten smoked every time.  With the amount of time in the future to do it right and not risk that cold snap, I think they are fooling themselves." 

All that said,  what if you have corn planted already o r just can't wait.  I say treat it like a risky investment.  Don't plant over 10% this week.  Maybe the same thing next week.  If the long range outlook is still good in the last week of march you might make a little bigger commitment, but I would still make no effort to be done before April 10.  Bottom line is that it might be better to hold off 10 days to 2 weeks, unless you can get some coated seed that will not germinate for 3 to 4 weeks.