Soybeans and corn are starting to be seeded into the ground across the U.S. Soil temperatures are still cold in many areas, and this article is not intended to push for a rush to the planter or field. Instead, as we work with our consulting agronomist’s guidance and begin to plant this coming season’s crop, I’m urging that you take note of the dates your corn intended for silage is planted. Do this for each field and have these records handy for later season management discussions.
This recommendation likely seems silly or mundane, but it’s a must. Reflecting upon 2024, agronomists and dairy farmers I had spoken with had vague recollections of the early versus late-planted cornfields, but the specific dates were less clear when trying to nail down planting dates to project harvest timing and relating to crop forage quality. Detailed planting date records for fields and hybrids are helpful to project silking and harvest windows using growing degree tools. Last year, the planting window was widened out far beyond an average year, thanks to excessive early-season rainfall. The later planted corn also grew through the vegetative stage under warmer temperatures, along with wetter conditions, contributing to substantially less digestible fiber compared to earlier planted corn. Continuing to reference Joe Lauer’s work from the University of Wisconsin several years ago, remember that corn growing under wetter and warmer conditions tends to be lower in fiber quality.
As we turn the page to 2025 and are thinking about planting, let’s start with a nationwide look at current year-to-date rainfall and moisture. The U.S. year-to-date rainfall relative to long-term norms currently looks a bit dry, as pictured in the image adapted from www.NOAA.gov. While there are some wet spots, there are many dairy forage growing regions that could use some rain to add soil moisture and help get the growing season and crop started and out of the ground. On average across the U.S., we don’t look to have excessive moisture potentially delaying planting. Of course, this could change in a week’s time, so we’ll be paying attention to weather conditions and forecasts.
