The Farmer’s Ultimate Guide To Improve Corn Crop Yields

Whether you are planting corn for the first time or you are a polished agriculturalist, everyone can benefit from the farming tips to increase this season’s corn yield. You can use a reliable corn yield per acre calculator to compare the annual turnovers for any two seasonal cycles. Some of the most important factors are choosing the right seeds, understanding the land, seeding rate, and row spacing when considering the right time to plant corn to maximize crop yield. Some secondary concerns which will also impact corn crop yields are the type of soil, as well as the pitch of the land which will affect the canalization of the field. 

Understanding The Lay Of The Land

Strip tillage will be a favorable option for flatlands because they help in keeping the soil warm and dry. Heavy rain can result in prairie potholes in flatlands that will no longer be beneficial for corn production. On the contrary, an inclined field is more suitable for a no-till approach because the field will be drained if there is a slope of more than 5% in the land. The roots of corn can be of many different lengths depending on the soil, water, and weather conditions of the land. 

When To Plant Corn?

Traditional farmers say that it’s time to plant corn when oak leaves are about the same size as squirrel’s ears. Some farmers are adamant that beginning their corn production is connected to a specific date within the year. Other agriculturalists just want to be the first ones in the neighborhood to begin corn production. There has to be a more dependable way of knowing when is the right time to plant than this. 

The right time to plant corn is when the temperature is at least 50°F outside with a prediction of temperature rises in the next 5 to 14 days ahead. The moisture in the fields needs to be sufficient to germinate the seeds but not so damp as to inhibit plant growth or cause the unnecessary failure of equipment within the cornfield. Some corn planters face more difficulty on the second field plantation because they plant too soon. It is always recommended to wait for at least 24 hours even if you think you’re ready for the second plantation. 

A young corn plantation will not persevere if there is standing water for more than four consecutive days. In some cases, oxygen levels can drop off in just 48 hours in which case replanting could be an alternate solution. Take into consideration the former herbicide employment and check the prevailing stand count before carrying out a replant. Don’t hesitate to check out earlier maturity hybrid options If a replant is the only way to go. 

Choosing The Right Seed & Cultivation Times

Finding the right plant to match the soil and weather conditions is crucial to obtaining a high corn crop yield. A specific kind of seed is tested and marketed to achieve particular yields in distinct conditions. The production of the crop of corn will also be affected by when the cultivation season begins and ends. Planting too soon or too late will impact when the crop of corn matures and this could lead to unnecessary wastage of production. 

Choosing the right seed company can be a challenging and complicated process because the seed must meet your specific cultivation requirements but you also want a good deal. Some seed companies offer loyalty discounts while others offer bulk discounts. One of the benefits of purchasing your seed from the same company year after year is becoming familiar with the provider’s range of products. This can make it easy to decide exactly which product would be a match based on your specific cultivation conditions instead of choosing a new seed provider each time. 

Choosing The Right Equipment

The ideal planter is the large planter especially for large enclosures without fencerows but this isn’t always the case. You need to choose the right size of planter based on the landscape and the overall size of your operation. A standard planter should be sufficient, at least in the beginning. You can select different attachments later on like starter fertilizer, row cleaners, and insecticide delivery systems. 

An ideal planter should have depth gauge wheels that work effectively and it should be able to move residue outside of the row. It is advisable to test the soil fertility to establish whether or not to apply starter fertilizers before planting. Use an adequate amount of down pressure to plant advantageously without leading to compression. The right amount of down pressure will be determined based on the soil type and organic matter. 

Seeding Rate & Row Spacing

The hybrid genetics of the seed you choose will help determine whether a 20-inch or 30-inch row would be beneficial. The first point of contact should be your seed salesmen to help decide the appropriate row spacing and expected seed rate response. For a farm in the Midwest, the modal range is between 33,000 to 38,000. For some farmers, it will be their priority to achieve a maximum yield which will come at a higher cost of seed. 

Other farmers might want to consider a lower rate that is more economical in consideration to their cost of seed. Sometimes these decisions will also be made based on the local weather and climate patterns because it will impact their production in one way or another. Farmers might want to make use of the ample moisture to increase production. Farmers can also decide to curb production when there is less moisture in the air. 

Cultivation Day

This is when your planter will be set according to your desired seeding rate and the appropriate seed penetration depth. Remember not to create sidewall compaction by keeping the furrow closed because this will help to avoid weak root systems. The settings may need to be checked more often than not due to the constant changes in the weather and soil conditions. Make sure you make the appropriate crop assessments before finalizing.

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