After a more reasonable start to the 2020 planting season especially compared to a year ago, Mother Nature threw us a bit of a curveball in mid-May with some wet & colder weather. Warm, dry weather finally returned, field activity moved at a record pace, and now corn and soybean plantings are finished in most of our trading area. As spraying and side dressing is now kicking into high gear, one essential job that I would remind everyone to do is get out and “EVALUATE YOUR PLANT STANDS”. Field scouting does not need to be complicated; in fact, keeping the process simple and doing each field individually is the most important thing to remember. Some of the basic tools for field scouting include a measuring tape, pocketknife, shovel, plastic bag to collect samples, hand lens, camera, hula hoop and a clipboard to record the information.
Start with accessing the plant stand for both final population and uniformity. Doing this is like a final report card on your planter’s performance this spring. The charts below show the measurement of different row widths to calculate population in corn and hoop count conversions for soybeans.
Record your plant counts, and if they vary by more than 10% from your seed drop with no apparent reason, you should look at your planter for wear or other problems and get them looked at while it is fresh on your mind.
Another thing to access is the uniformity of the stand. Even emergence is the key to maximizing yield as uneven emergence causes plant to plant competition which reduces yield. Take the time to dig up some plants and look at what is going on below the ground. Early root development is critical especially in corn because it has a fibrous type root system. Stunting or restriction in the growth of the nodal root system at the initial development can affect that plant all season long. If there are development issues, make sure you determine the cause. There are lots of possible causes, but a few of the more common ones are typically compaction issues either from tillage or planting in wet soils. Insects, herbicides and sometimes fertilizer (salt burn) can also affect the roots early in the season.
There are just a few last things that I typically like to look at and record as I am walking across a field which are all visual observations. Make a note of any weeds you see; this could either be an escape from an earlier herbicide application or simply the weeds you need to control with a post-program. Make a note of any diseases or insects that you see so you can determine if the pressure is at or approaching threshold levels. If you have different varieties planted in the field, look to see if you see any differences; however, keep in mind that a slight difference in plant height or colour may not necessarily equate to more yield at harvest.
Timely field scouting is an essential part of your overall cropping program and is something that can’t simply be done from the pickup on a drive-by, even if you are slowing down. Remember to keep good records, take pictures if you can and always try to look for patterns when diagnosing problems in the field. Contact your local co-operative branch today we have staff and access to industry experts that can help to diagnose problems in your fields.