By Ray Kimmel, Democrat-Leader Farm Correspondent
Improved weather last week enabled around 90 percent of Howard County’s corn land to be planted. A few farmers have switched some of their corn land to planting soybeans. Soybeans can be planted later than corn with a potential yield loss.
Soybean planting now is the main concern and soybeans generally can be planted without a significant potential yield loss until mid-June. Soybean planting is later than average for this date; however, more than 50 percent of the soybean crop has been planted.
The area’s abundant soil moisture reserve should help our crops this year, even though planting was delayed.
The National Weather Service predicts a weakening La Nina condition in the Pacific Ocean which could dissipate by mid summer. If the forecast proves out, the chances of favorable corn growing conditions will increase here from the rainfall standpoint.
© Copyright 2002-2005 by Wood Creek Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Top of Page
| 
Online Edition. Get more great news and features with a subscription - call (660) 248-2235 and order with Visa or MasterCard. 