After the last blast of winter this week, we have had three extremely cold, hard freeze events in about two weeks. By the middle of next week at the latest the damage from this last freeze on the developing head should be apparent. Most of the attention has focused on wheat but where are we concerning our spring planted crops? Let’s tackle the easy ones first.
· Soybeans – Typically it would be great to plant full-season soybeans the first half of May. So unless conditions remain abnormally cold and extremely wet, planting the crop on time isn’t a concern. Soybeans definitely prefer warm soil and it shouldn’t take long with normal weather for soils to warm up. This might be the year to spend the extra money to treat seed for diseases favored by cold, wet soils. Double-cropped beans after wheat should also be fine unless harvest is pushed past July 4.
· Grain sorghum – Typically grain sorghum planting starts later than full-season soybeans so the moisture is a fair trade for the cold conditions. A late wheat harvest would make double-cropped milo riskier than for soybeans.
· Sunflower – There isn’t a large sunflower acreage in the area. There is plenty of time to plant sunflowers.
· Corn – The area should be well into corn planting. Ideally dryland planting should be wrapping up and irrigated should be at least at the half way mark. The typical K-State recommendation is to try and be done by the first week of May. Even south and east of our area, corn planting has barely started. If delays continue, it may be advisable if possible to switch over to an earlier maturing hybrid. Even if corn was in the ground before this period of cold, it would not have done much more than germinate and may still be just sitting there. Fortunately, corn is treated with insecticides and fungicides that will allow it to wait until soil temperatures improve. While these delays may cut back on yield, good yields will still be possible if the weather cooperates. Producers, primarily irrigated, can partially overcome the planting delay by increasing seeding rate and insuring adequate nitrogen fertility.
If you are interested in winter canola production, visit the ksre.edu website or call the extension office. K-State is holding a series of tours to examine practices and newer winter canola varieties as close as Lincoln County, Marquette, and near Partridge.
Finally, the area has received enough rainfall that our drought status has improved. Not just here but throughout the state.