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Channel Field Check Up
KAYLISSA HALTER
EFFINGHAM, ILL.
Deciding whe-ther to replant corn and soybeans can be challenging. Carefully evaluate the crop stand for uniformity, population and health. If a less-than-desired stand is identified, a reason needs to be determined for the inadequate stand (to avoid the same result after replanting) and a cost analysis conducted to determine profitability of the replant option.
Stand evaluation
When evaluating stands:
• Only count the healthy plants
• Observe uniformity to determine if a portion or entire field should be replanted
• Determine if replanting only low/drowned spots in field is a viable option
• Spot planting without destroying existing stand is not recommended
For the stand-counting methods and other tips for evaluating your fields, please follow the links at end of this article or ask your Channel® Seedsman or local agronomist.
Determining the cause
Your Seedsman or agronomist also can help determine the underlying cause(s) of the stand problem, so your replanted crop won’t suffer the same consequences. While the list of every potential cause or environmental issue is long, here are some common ones:
• Poor seedbed
• Planter adjustment problems
• Poor seed quality
• Soil crusting/compaction
• To little or much moisture
• Seedling disease
Calculating return on investment
After evaluating the stand and determining causes for poor performance, it is important to work with your Seedsman or agronomist to calculate the yield potential of the current stand compared to the potential of the targeted replanting date and population, along with all costs associated with replanting.
Replanting the crop
Much more space than we have here is needed to adequately cover all the factors that go into a successful replant, but certainly the first step is to remove the existing stand. As mentioned before, spot planting without destroying the current stand is not recommended.
In many cases, tillage is an option, as long as it is done at an adequate depth to properly control the existing stand. Depending on the growth stage, two tillage passes might be required. If a pre-emergence herbicide has been applied, tillage may decrease the efficacy of the herbicide by placing it deeper than ideal for good weed control. Additionally, tillage before replanting can reduce soil moisture.
In some cases, applying a herbicide to remove the existing stand is a viable option, but you should consult your Seedsman or agronomist and follow the chemical manufacturer’s product label.
http://www.channel.com/agronomics/Documents/AgronomicContentPDF/CornReplantingDecisionsChannelAlert.pdf
http://www.channel.com/agronomics/Documents/SoybeanReplantingDecisionsChannelAlert-1.pdf.
Individual Results May Vary. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Channel® and the Arrow Design® and Seedsmanship At Work® are registered trademarks of Channel Bio, LLC. ©2014 Monsanto Company. ∆
KAYLISSA HALTER: Agronomist for Channel Seed
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