The National Weather Service predicts likely above normal temperatures and leaning above normal precipitation for May 20-26. The National Weather Service forecasts equal odds of normal temperature and precipitation for July through November. The Michigan State University Enviroweather growing degree day summary for the Blissfield/ Deerfield station shows a warmer April than the five-year average, but a cooler May. The precipitation total since April is about 1.46 inches above normal, but since May 1 it is about .79 inches short of the five-year average.
Corn and soybean planting finally got underway as of about May 9 as soils are drier than expected and many tiles no longer have water flowing into ditches and creeks. The variability in temperatures with uneven accumulation with heavy clay soils and lighter colored sandy soils may result in a wide range in crop emergence and shallow roots. Both factors are not good for early season yield prospects. Corn and soybean plants that emerge later tend to remain behind their neighbors, become defacto weeds, contribute less to yield, and compete for light, water and nutrients away from the better plants. Waiting a few days before planting, but into dry, fit soil can lead to better results than planting earlier into less favorable conditions.
Soybeans can tolerate and compensate for lower stands as long as gaps are not more than about 3 feet. Soybeans compensate for thinner, but uniform stands with more branching and more pods. I have seen one soybean plant by its lonesome self in 5 feet of row with over 500 pods that the farmer then pulled to bronze it! Lower populations, in the low 100,000s or even lower with uniform spacing can still produce outstanding yields and may be much better than tearing up the field to replant.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to watch farming neighbors and friends who may seem overly worried about the weather, planting delays, financing or other issues. The American Farm Bureau’s “Farm State of Mind” initiative can help farmers “nourish, move, unplug, pause, connect and share.” Farmers can learn to cope with anxiety, adjust and reach out to family or friends. Or, anonymously, farmers can call or text 988 for free counseling or help. Farming can be rewarding, but uncertainty, rising costs and isolation can take a toll on mental and physical health.
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: Planting seeds of hope: Looking out for our rural friends this spring
Reporting by Ned Birkey, Farmers’ Advance / Farmers Advance
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
