|
Plan Ahead For Corn Replant
CODY SULLIVAN
LUBBOCK, TEXAS
While no one wants to think about replanting fields, it’s a good idea to have a plan in mind if the need arises. Most farmers have a field or two that sometimes requires replanting because of wet soils, flooding or other inhospitable growing conditions. Being aware of how your original corn management practices may affect a replant will help your decision making when it’s decision time.
A less than desired stand can be caused by many different external challenges, so avoid jumping to conclusions and thoroughly evaluate each field. Check plants for uniformity, growth stage and seedling health, and conduct a stand count to determine the remaining population. Channel Seedsmen are experts at evaluating fields as part of the Field Check Up Series (FCUS), which includes on-farm visits to evaluate plant performance and provide field specific agronomic recommendations. Check out Channel.com/FCUS to learn more.
Corn planted after May 1 requires approximately 1.6 fewer growing degree days (GDDs) per day of delayed planting to reach flowering.1 GDDs required to reach physiological maturity, or black layer, decreases approximately 6.8 GDDs per day of delayed planting after May 1.1 For this reason, it is not always necessary to switch to an earlier maturing hybrid when replanting. Each replant situation may vary, so speak to your Seedsman to determine what relative maturity will work in your area.
Another thing to keep in mind when replanting is insect pressure. Corn planted later can be more attractive to insects like second-generation corn borer and corn rootworm beetles, which may require a late-season control plan. If a soil-applied insecticide was used with the initial planting, refer to the specific product label to determine if a second application can be made.
If farmers replant and are concerned about additional insect issues, they should consider using an additional insecticide control or replant with a traited product.
For optimal control of late-season insects, consider a corn product with insect protection traits, like VT DoublePro®, and SmartStax®. University research suggests that when planting in late May or June, there are significant advantages in overall yield potential and better yield consistency for corn with insect-protection trait technology compared to conventional hybrids.2 Ask your Channel Seedsman about the best insect protection trait technology for your area.
Overall, there are many factors to consider when deciding if it makes sense to replant, but the primary driver should still be the yield potential of the current stand compared to the yield potential of a replant plus the associated costs. Channel.com/AgronomyLibrary is a great resource for information about replanting. Contact your local Channel Seedsman for additional information and for help placing the best corn product on your replant acres.
Sources: 1 Brouder, S. et al. 2007. Corn & soybean field guide. Purdue University.
2 Thomison, P. 2005. Replant considerations: Hybrid selection issues. The Ohio State University. C.O.R.N. Newsletter 2005-13. http://corn.osu.edu.
B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state.
Performance may vary from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower’s fields. ∆
CODY SULLIVAN: Channel Agronomist
|
|