By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Jumping the gun on corn planting can damage plant’s root systems. University of Missouri Extension cereal crops specialists Brent Myers and agronomy specialist Bill Wiebold are warning growers not to plant too soon, noting allowing soil to dry is important to mitigate harm to their plants’ root systems. Roots in compacted wet soil aren’t able to grow properly, which can also make them more vulnerable to disease. While the planting season has started off slower compared to last year, Wieldbold tells farmers that there is no reason to panic, explaining that last year’s planting season shouldn’t be used as a yardstick. Wiebold has studied the effects of corn planting dates and has found that weather conditions in July and August affect corn yield more than the planting date. He says there is still time to plant corn as intended and cautions against quick decisions to switch corn acreage to other crops like soybeans.