Early Planting Outlook: Opportunity or Gamble?

Ana Carcedo, NDSU Extension Agronomist, has a look into the extended forecast and the ups and downs of potentially planting early.

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The NDSU Extension weekly podcast In the Pod: Soybean Updates delivers timely insights and expert advice on soybean production.

Bruce Sundeen: 00:00

You're listening to In The Pod, Soybean Updates, a weekly trek into the latest soybean information from NDSU Extension. As the warmer days become more consistent, farmers begin chomping at the bit, anticipating the upcoming season. Ana Carcedo, NDSU Extension agronomist, has a look into the extended forecast and the ups and downs of potentially planting early. Ana, what's the hot topic right now?

Ana Carcedo: 00:27

As spring arrives, everybody is talking about weather, mostly because planting season is just around the corner. When we check the National Weather Service, the thirty and ninety day outlook says that the temperature is going to be average. And for the Southwest part of the state is actually saying that it's going to be a little bit warmer than usual. And when we are talking about precipitations basically, it says that it's going to be wetter than usual in the East part of the state. When we are saying that the temperature is going to be average, what do we mean by that? Basically, when we are saying that's the near average for the East part of the state, it means that between April 1 and April 15 we have 50% chance of having freezing temperatures. That's why we always say try to aim it after April 15. And, also, that's why all the insurance dates are set as that. Basically, before April 15, if you throw a coin and it hits, you might be having freezing. If it fails, maybe not. So it's 5050% chance.

Bruce Sundeen: 01:45

With the mild temperatures, farmers may be thinking about planting early. What are the ups and downs of early planting?

Ana Carcedo: 01:52

Of course. Everybody knows that the earlier that you plant, the higher yield potential that you have and I want to stress that that is yield potential. This potential is going to happen only in optimal conditions. It's important that you go and check the minimum soil temperature needed for planting before planting your crop. For some especially we're seeing that at least 50 degrees are minimum to start developing so that's a bare minimum. It does not mean the crop is going to be growing fast and developing in a good rate. It actually means that it's going to just start really slow. So when we are saying which will be the minimum temperature for planting, we are aiming a little bit higher than that. 57 is number that I feel comfortable at least. We need at least three days, three consecutive days with these temperatures in the soil and also having a favorable forecast. It happened a lot of times that we have one week of nice temperatures and next week it's going to be freezing. So what happened with our soybeans in that situation? Basically the seeds are just sitting there doing nothing and being vulnerable to a lot of diseases they are just waiting for them. Another important consideration, another important thing to consider when you are thinking of planting early is your seed protection package. So it's important to use seed treatments when you are aiming to plant early.

Bruce Sundeen: 03:25

Thanks, Ana. Our guest has been Ana Carcedo, NDSU Extension agronomist. You're listening to In the Pod, Soybean Updates, a weekly trek into the latest soybean information from NDSU Extension supported by the North Dakota Soybean Council.