Cost conscious moves for this planting season
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Farmers can cut costs without sacrificing yield by following the University of Minnesota Extension fertilizer guidelines, according to Jeff Coulter, Extension corn agronomist with the University of Minnesota. The guidelines are geared to both the cost of fertilizer and the price of corn on the market, so you adjust your rate based on those economic conditions. When planting corn following alfalfa or some other crops, or if manure has been placed in the field in recent years, a nitrogen credit can further drop the required nitrogen application rate for maximum economic returns.
Coulter said these rates are focused on maximizing net return rather than maximizing yield. The rates enhance overall profit by reducing fertilizer costs more than the price that can be obtained from a couple extra bushels.
“The University of Minnesota Extension recommendations are based on lots of on-farm and on-station research trials, and they’re focused on maximizing net returns,” Coulter said. “Following these rates is a low-risk way of cutting costs.”
Coulter advised farmers that several other considerations will help them achieve the best crop they can.
Research has found that the very first Minnesota planting dates often do not out-yield those closer to the end of April or early May.
“Timing is key, but we don’t need to get out there super early. You want uniform soil moisture in the seed zone, so all those seeds emerge within about two days of each other,” Coulter said. “Uniform emergence prevents undue competition among the corn plants, which can cause some to shade others out and lower yield. You want to plant when temperatures are going to trend higher or remain stable and avoid events like a cold rain or a cold snap. In Minnesota, oftentimes, we can plant through May 10 with little to no yield penalty.”
Planting depth is another key consideration, because getting the seeds near the moisture in the soil is the biggest factor in successful germination.
“Two inches is the standard planting depth, but if soil conditions are unusually dry, don’t be afraid to go a little deeper,” Coulter said. “Another best practice when it comes to depth—it’s important to get out of the tractor and dig up some seeds behind the planter, especially after an initial run, to verify the seed depth. You should also check seed depth when you move to a field that has much different residue or moisture conditions than where you were planting previously.”
Economizing does not mean skipping essentials according to Coulter. One of the most effective ways to boost yield is to employ an effective pre-emergence herbicide program. Getting to weeds while they are still small is the key to eradicating them before they can rob the crop of yield.
But farmers should keep an eye on planting populations—studies have found the happy medium. Keeping within a 34,000 to 36,000 per acre seed population produces the ideal number of plants. Planting seeds at a higher rate will not consistently offer a higher return, Coulter advised.
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