When should corn be planted?
Corn is generally planted in the spring when soil temperatures and field conditions are suitable. In Nebraska and Kansas, planting commonly begins in April and may continue into May, depending on weather and location. Farmers should consider local conditions, soil temperature, forecasted weather, and their seed supplier’s recommendations when determining planting timing.
When should soybeans be planted?
Soybeans are generally planted in the spring once soil conditions are suitable. In Nebraska and Kansas, planting often occurs from late April into May, although timing varies by location, weather, soil conditions, and maturity group. Producers should follow local agronomic recommendations when determining planting dates.
How much seed should be planted?
Seeding rates depend on the crop, seed variety, soil type, expected yield potential, planting date, and farming practices. Corn and soybean populations can vary considerably between fields. Producers should use local agronomic recommendations and seed-company guidance to determine the appropriate rate for their operation.
What affects corn yield?
Corn yield is influenced by genetics, soil productivity, available moisture, rainfall, temperature, planting date, fertility, pest pressure, and overall crop management. Irrigation can also have a significant impact in areas where water is available. When evaluating farmland, AgWest Land Brokers can help buyers review production history and the factors that contribute to a property’s yield potential.
What is crop rotation?
Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops on the same field in a planned sequence rather than planting the same crop continuously. Common rotations include corn and soybeans or wheat followed by other crops. Rotations can provide agronomic, soil-health, and pest-management benefits.
Why rotate crops?
Crop rotation can help break pest and disease cycles, improve nutrient management, reduce certain weed pressures, and support soil health. Different crops also have different nutrient requirements and root systems, which can benefit the soil over time.
What is no-till farming?
No-till farming is a production system in which crops are planted with minimal disturbance to the soil and without conventional full-width tillage. Crop residue is generally left on the soil surface, which can help reduce erosion and conserve moisture. No-till practices can also support long-term soil health when appropriately managed.
What is strip-till?
Strip-till is a conservation tillage practice that disturbs only a narrow strip of soil where the crop will be planted while leaving the areas between rows largely undisturbed. It combines some of the benefits of conventional tillage and no-till systems, including a prepared seedbed while maintaining residue between rows.
What is cover cropping?
Cover cropping involves planting crops primarily to protect and improve the soil rather than for harvest. Cover crops can help reduce erosion, improve soil structure, retain nutrients, support soil biology, and manage moisture. Common cover crops include grasses, legumes, and mixtures of multiple species.
What is precision agriculture?
Precision agriculture uses technology and data to manage fields based on differences in soil, crop conditions, yield potential, and other factors. GPS, yield monitors, soil maps, drones, sensors, and variable-rate equipment can all be part of a precision agriculture system. The goal is to make more informed and efficient management decisions.
What is variable rate planting?
Variable rate planting adjusts the number of seeds planted in different areas of a field based on factors such as soil productivity, yield potential, and management goals. More productive areas may receive a different seeding rate than lower-producing areas. This technology can help producers better match seed populations to field conditions.
What is variable rate fertilizer?
Variable rate fertilizer technology allows producers to apply different amounts of nutrients to different areas of a field based on soil tests, yield goals, crop needs, and other data. The goal is to apply nutrients more efficiently and avoid treating the entire field at one uniform rate when conditions vary.
What is precision irrigation?
Precision irrigation uses technology and field data to apply water according to crop needs and differences within a field. Systems may use soil moisture sensors, GPS, weather information, variable-rate irrigation equipment, and other technology to improve water-use efficiency.
How does GPS improve farming?
GPS allows farmers to accurately track equipment and field locations, creating opportunities for guidance systems, automatic steering, mapping, variable-rate applications, and reduced overlap. GPS technology can improve efficiency, reduce input waste, and make field operations more precise. It is a key component of modern precision agriculture.