Planting could beat target goal

The target date is April 25 for many farmers and producers in southern Minnesota to start planting this year’s crops. The goal is to be done by May 1. And so far the weather is playing its part.
“We’re seeing some guys are getting started,” said Adam Czech, spokesperson for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. “I talked to one in Mapleton, west of Blooming Prairie, and he’s planting. There have been a lot of activities in fields including prep work and tillage.”
Czech said this spring is much better than the last couple of years. “It has been so wet, that they have been waiting until mid-May, early June to plant,” he said. “Preparation and getting into the field is much better than last year.”
Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap said many are putting on fertilizer that may not have been done last fall. And others are tilling or running a field cultivator ahead of the planter to loosen up the soil. “They don’t want rain in between,” he said.
And for many, the seed has already been purchased making it available for the planting season. “Most actually purchase at the end of the year or the beginning of the year depending on tax purposes,” Paap said.
Right now many farmers and producers are waiting around for the right weather. “The hard part is we don’t know what the right weather is,” Paap said. “It is just a little early. It is hard for farmers unless they have a lot of acres and need many days to plant.”
Technology and farming equipment can plant 200 acres to 300 acres in a day.
Czech added that if the crops can get in a little earlier there will be better yields. “Hopefully, the moisture comes once their planted at the right time,” he said. “The last couple of years it was so wet in the spring, they planted late. Once planted, you cross your gingers to get some rain.”
While corns and soybeans will be the top two crops planted, Czech said we are anticipating a drop off in corn. “Projections are showing about the same as it was last year,” he said. “Prices are down and it is a tough market, but farmers keep plugging away and hoping to get cooperative weather and returns are better than another year. Those who have been farming for a while and have gone through a tough year, know it is cyclical and can’t (over) react to a couple of tough years.”
Paap said that farmers see the same every spring. “That’s optimism in planting that seed and with the help of good weather, hopefully a bountiful crop,” he said. “We’re always optimistic to get out here and put the crop in. We certainly are not late.”