There’s been a move to push planting dates earlier in corn and soybeans in recent years.
Overall, it’s been very positive for generating more yield.
It’s not without problems and concerns, though. If you are considering “super-early” planting by your farm’s standards, here are a few considerations that will help you avoid failure.
Picking a Date
There are two things that determine when we will plant a crop early.
- Crop Insurance Date
- Is the Soil Dry?
If we’ve reached our crop insurance date and the soil conditions are dry, we will plant. If crop insurance allows us to buy up a week or two earlier than normal, we may choose to accept the extra insurance expense to do that. Without the insurance, you’re on your own and it’s likely not worth the risk.