With the additional rainfall we have experienced in much of central and northern Illinois this spring, it is no surprise planting has been delayed.  The majority of farmers still have a portion of corn acres (and a large amount of soybean acres) left to plant once the skies clear and the fields drain.  With delayed planting inevitable, it begs the question:  how important is timing?

Typically, people think about three things when planting late in spring:

1. Yield loss per day
2. Seed bed quality
3. Product placement

If the items above are listed in the order you would prioritize them on importance, I challenge you to look from a new angle.  Try the following order on for size:

1. Seed bed quality (Part 1)
2. Product Placement (Part 2)
3. Yield loss per day (Part 3)

Why is seed bed quality more important than yield loss? What is so important about product placement? Let’s consider…

Yield Loss Per Day after May 1st

Yield Loss per day by planting date range 

April 17^th – May 8^th 100% of Yield potential

May 8^th – May 22^nd 0.5% Yield loss per day

May 22^nd – June 5^th 1.4% Yield loss per day

June 5^th – June 19^th 2.2% Yield loss per day

*(Iowa State Extension Figure 1 Effect of planting date on corn grain yield response in Iowa (1997-2000)

There was a study done by Monsanto in 2014 in Monmouth, IL (article link attached below) where three planting dates were established and on those three dates a 116 RM product, 113 RM product, and 105 RM product were all planted.  Each product was planted on each date; 4/21/14, 5/5/14 and 5/22/14.  The results showed that even though the yield spread decreased with delayed planting, the later maturing products still out yielded the 105 RM product.

http://www.monsanto.com/products/documents/learning-center-research/2014/mlc-lc-corn-yield-response-to-relative-maturity-and-planting-dates.pdf.

What can we learn from this? There is no hurry in switching to earlier relative maturities prior to May 22^nd.  In the study, the 113 RM product and the 116 RM product were still out yielding the 105 RM product by 6% in the May 22^nd trial.  By staying the course, you are giving up only 7% of yield potential of the product you specifically selected.

By switching RM’s prior to May 23^rd three things are likely to happen:

1. Delayed planting you may give up 7% yield potential (happens regardless of RM)
2. By switching RM’s you add an additional 6% potential yield loss
3. By switching product’s / RM’s you may give up a minimum of an additional 7% potential yield loss due to incorrect placement of the product.

Total opportunity cost of this decision is 13% potential yield reduction.  This decision cannot be taken lightly but it drives the point of not forcing a quality seed into a subpar environment, it is far more beneficial to wait until its fit.

The bottom line? Delayed planting – especially very delayed – can decrease yields.  It is important to consider the planting date – but may be less important than proper product placement and adequate soil conditions. 

So, if we arrive at May 23^rd and you haven’t been able to plant, it is probably time to contact your AXIS Seed representative and discuss your options.  This will allow you to control the only variable left to control: correct product selection and placement!  #GROWSTRONG

Written by Andy Paulson

Owner – Axis Seed Direct