Ferrie: Ready, Set, Whoops! A Fast Start To Fieldwork Could Cost You Big In Corn At V5

Spring has officially sprung, but that doesn’t mean farmers need to spring into action in their fields. Exercising caution now can prevent problems and unwanted service calls later in the season, says Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist, in this week’s Boots In The Field Report.

The big question he says to ask yourself right now is whether soil conditions in your fields are dry enough for working? 

“For our vertical passes, it's all about wheel tracks and whether soils are dry enough to handle the weight of the equipment without putting in compaction,” he says. “With horizontal tillage, it's all about the moisture at and right below that tillage depth. Will it put in a density layer?”

If you push either one of these scenarios, it will create an unwanted gift that keeps on giving all season long. Also, as you evaluate soils, keep in mind no-till ground will support the weight of equipment sooner than fall-tilled fields. 

“Leveling fall-chiseled ground with vertical tillage is the one that if you jump across the line too early, you're going to have visible wheel tracks that show up after the crop emerges,” Ferrie says.

Anhydrous Applications Are Underway in Central Illinois

In some areas it's dry enough farmers are applying spring anhydrous. Ferrie says that is a positive. 

“I like to see a minimum of two weeks between my spring ammonia application and planting, if I'm not making an effort to stay off of the anhydrous strip,” he says.

At this point, he believes what farmers might need more than time is adequate moisture to tame down the anhydrous core in the soil. That concern is why he doesn’t recommend spring strip-till with anhydrous. 

“It’s just too high of a risk,” he says. “I've done service calls on February strip-till anhydrous (that killed) corn at V5 when we don't get enough moisture to tame down the core.”

What occurs is as the corn grows, its roots hit the anhydrous core and are torched, causing corn plants to wilt and even die.

The situation makes for a tough replant call. You have to evaluate how much corn is dead, how much of the crop is damaged and how much of the crop is still likely to still die in the future.

“Just one 2-inch rain can fix a lot of issues, and getting it now will make things safer when it comes time for planting, assuming conditions are right,” Ferrie says.

Taming the Anhydrous Core Improves Corn Survival

Another consideration is to use RTK auto steer to be sure you plant between the cores. In this case, farmers won't need the rain or the two weeks to tame down the anhydrous core. By the time the roots find the core, it will be sufficiently tamed.  

“After an application of anhydrous, the core pH will swing clear to a 14 in which no root or biological activity is going to survive. With moisture and time this swings back to a safer zone,” he says.

If we're applying anhydrous followed by tillage, and not going to be able to tell where the core is, again, it's best to wait at least two weeks and hope some rain will come before planting. 

“I know you're thinking ‘Ken, I've done spring anhydrous forever, and I've never had issues.’ Well that's what the guys tend to say when we get called on a service call with dead corn,” Ferrie says. “If it only happens one out of 10 years, the risk is still too high.”

Are You Thinking You'll Run Strip Pressures Now?

Next fall's record crop starts at the seedbed. If you're applying anhydrous in no-till bean stubble, and you're planning to one-pass it or hit it with a harrow or finisher before planting, maybe hold up with that tillage pass until we get moisture. If the spring turns out to be dry and we don't get that moisture before planting, just no-till between your anhydrous strips. 

Some growers are thinking about running the strip pressures to get ready for planting. If the ground is dry and firm enough to support the equipment weight, Ferrie says go ahead. 

“Maybe use this pass to apply some of your 28% and 32% along with some ATS as part of your 4R nitrogen program,” he says. “The freshening of the strip now will give you a sterile seedbed with uniform moisture to plant into later.” 

Feed The Corn Crop All Season To Keep It Happy

If applying nitrogen now seems too early for an application and you worry it won’t be available later in the season, don’t be concerned. 

“The nitrogen we put on with row fresheners is not for late in the season; it's upfront N, and with its location close to the row and the fact that it's banded, you get plenty of protection from potential loss,” Ferrie says. “The balance of your N program should be designed to meet your N needs throughout the season.

“Planter and freshener applied nitrogen usually only amounts to about one-third or less of our total nitrogen program,” he adds. “This nitrogen, due to its placement in a band near the row, has about two times the horsepower compared to the same amount broadcast. Liquid N is only half urea, and at the lower rates along with the RTK placement to the side of the future row, the risk of seedling burn is low.”

If your freshener is leaving the UAN on top and you're not incorporating it, Ferrie recommends using a urease inhibitor to stabilize it. 

You can hear all of Ferrie’s recommendations about spring fieldwork here:

Ferrie: Seize Your Corn Growing Opportunities for #Plant2023

New Systemic Nitrogen-Fixation Biofertilizer Can Be Used In-Furrow or In a Foliar Application

How Can The Farm Bill Better Reflect Farmers? House Ag Committee Released A Road Map

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