Extension
Connection
Extension
Connection
Planting
By Heather Benedict, Agronomist Specialist
This is Heather Benedict, Regional Agronomy Specialist. I am based out of Bethany Mo. I serve Worth, Gentry, Harrison, Mercer, Grundy, Daviess, Caldwell and Livingston Counties. I will be bringing you today’s program.
This week is a great week to start corn planting. Preparations should have been made to get into the fields as soon as they are dry enough. As of April 18, the national weather service logged Northwest Missouri at 221 growing degree days. Also, the temperatures this winter should not have allowed for much nitrogen volatilization loss. The biggest factor holding back planting is the moisture in the fields.
This year the Missouri wheat yield is a cause for concern among agronomists. Many of the wheat stands were planted later than usual last fall. Farmers could not get on the fields until after the soybean and corn harvests. This spring the cool wet weather has not allowed for a spring application of nitrogen that would aid in tillering. To complicate matters, hot weather is likely to arrive on time this spring causing a short grain fill period. As a result of all of these factors, the Missouri wheat yield is likely to vary widely from field to field. There is no flawless method for determining wheat yield at this stage. The best indicator of the yield will be the weather.
The spring finds many of the area farmers markets preparing to open. Many of us are ready to trade in the taste of canned fruits and vegetables for fresh produce. Early produce such as asparagus, bedding plants, and crafts will soon be for sale in markets across the region. Products such as sweet corn and tomatoes will be a more than a month behind the early products. If you are interested in finding a farmers market in your area, please contact your local extension office.
More information and the research on the practices I have discussed as well as on many more subjects can be found in your local extension office. So if you would like further information on this or any other topic contact your local University of Missouri Extension office. University of Missouri and Extension programs are open to all. Thank you for your time.
(Written April 20 , 2009)
 |
Extension Connection Barb Ubben, Web Manager harrisonco@missouri.edu Last revised: 05/25/04 |