Survey Reveals Missed Planting Windows Remain Problem for Corn Growers
Survey reveals that nearly one in three farmers miss their preferred planting date, mostly because of weather conditions.
Compiled by staff
Published: Nov 11, 2005
Timely planting of corn is a pervasive problem for growers, according to results of a large survey of U.S. corn farmers.
Nationally, nearly one in three corn plantings (32%) over the past five years was not finished by the grower's preferred completion date, with wet soil conditions the primary cause, according to a recent survey. In 2005, one of four growers (25%) didn't finish their planting operations by the preferred date.
The sample for this survey was very large — more than 13,250 corn growers participated. They were asked about their preferred planting dates and windows, timely planting success in 2005 and during the previous four years, perceived barriers to timely planting, experience with replanting due to chilling injury, and interest in earlier planting.
More than three out of four of those surveyed correlate timely planting with higher yields.
Weather issues the key
Overall, corn growers have a narrow planting widow. Nearly six of 10 (58%) would like to finish planting corn in three weeks or less, while the goal for one out of six (16%) is even tighter — 10 days or less.
Specific weather issues growers blamed for planting delays were wet soil conditions caused mainly by rains in early spring. About 10% of those polled mentioned soil conditions that are too cold for planting.
Timely planting was a particular challenge this year for growers in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. About one out of three growers in these four states said they had missed their planting windows in 2005, compared with the overall average of 25%.
Timely planting success, 2001-05
According to survey data, growers reported that only about two-thirds (68%) of all corn plantings were completed by the preferred end date during the 2001-2005 period. The five-year success rate ranged from a high of 73% in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska to a low of 59% in Ohio. Other states below the overall five-year average were Missouri at 66%, Wisconsin at 65%, and Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania at 63%.
The survey also indicated that growers with 500 or more corn acres are more likely to have missed planting all their corn by the preferred end date compared to those with operations of less than 500 corn acres.
Operations with 500 or more acres also had greater challenges with chilling injury. A quarter of the respondents (25%) in that category said they have had to replant some of their acres during the past five years, compared with the overall replanting rate of 17%. More than one of every eight (13%) Iowa growers said they've needed to replant because of chilling injury during the past five years, slightly less than the national average.
A solution may lie in seed coating technology. Several seed companies now offer specific ways to protect seeds prior to initial germination and through the entire season.
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