Editors' Notebook

OMAHA (DTN) -- As spring trudges along, still clad in its down-filled parka and hiking boots, agland's thoughts turn to prevented planting, acreage switches and the annual question: How late is too late to stick with corn planting plans?

We recognize here in the newsroom that there's still plenty of time to get those projected corn acres planted. May is a fine month for planting corn. And with today's technology, the necessary planting window doesn't have to remain open nearly as long as it did decades ago.

Still, with this week's massive rain and snow storms through the nation's midsection, we asked some readers what date on the calendar would make them start to reassess their original acreage plans. Here's what they had to say.

Todd Calfee, southwest Iowa

"Southwest Iowa May 15th is about as late as folks will want to go... maybe 20th. Then switch to beans for sure."

Will Nicholson, Cherry Valley, Ark.

"The end of the month for us. We have already cut our acres in half due to ground not drying. We hope to start today (Tuesday April 16). We have moved acres to rice and beans."

Kevin Ross, Essex, Ontario

"One only has to think back 2 years in my neck of the woods to remember what late planting was. Spring of 2011 we never turned a wheel till June 5th. We mudded on our N for the wheat the 3rd week of May and the wheat crop ended up being a disaster. But we still went ahead with 80% of our planned corn acres and had a really good crop, although we harvested most of it around the 27% moisture range. So for me, I'm not changing anything just yet. We still have lots of time. In my area it's still 10 days early for planting corn. Here's to hoping for dry, warm weather and the energy to get 'er done."

Karen Johnson, Avoca, Iowa

"The fields are not dry enough to get into yet (Tuesday) to knife in liquid nitrogen without fear of making clods; and if we get more moisture tomorrow and Thursday, planting will be delayed for us even longer. (We usually start about April 12th. Or the first allowable crop insurance date for planting). We will probably plant corn even into mid-May or later. We do not usually switch to beans but instead will perhaps switch to shorter-season corn. (We try to keep a half beans/half corn split each year.) We already have picked not only drought-tolerant hybrids but hybrids with good dry-down traits. Then we will just hope for the best. (Farmers are very good at "hope.")

Robert Lowry, Auburn, Neb.

"There is very little planting done in southeast Nebraska or southwest Iowa. The progress report reported only 2% nationwide. It is still early and the ground temps are still very cold. With rain in the forecast, trend-line yields will start to be a concern. Normally yields don't start to be affected until after May 5th. With the big equipment today, producers can put in a crop in record time. We're still looking for record acres of corn this year as most of the pre-planting work has been done. Most of the fertilizer is already in place. By this time next week, the soil temps won't make a difference as the producers will plant regardless of the soil temps. The problem that could develop is that with already tight U.S. supplies, end users will be forced to stretch the already tight supply out another month while waiting for new crop to mature. Have a great planting season!"

Barry Mumby, southwest Michigan

"Recent market action has taken the bloom off the "corn rose" for me and now delayed planting makes me even more concerned. We are OK for shallow moisture to plant when the ground warms, but looking at the 15- and 30-day forecasts, the soil is expected to stay cool. The May-June extended forecast indicates above normal temps for most of the corn growing region of the Midwest and with above normal rainfall. My tendency will be to stay with my plans, but I'm very flexible. The Red River Valley may miss corn planting entirely or flood out what gets planted and prices should rally until the weather goes to normal. After 5/25 we will move unplanted acres to soys. In my estimation average national corn yields will start at 150 and go down with poorer weather than ideal."

Keith Landis, Sterling, Ill.

"It's not too late yet. We are still looking at putting oats and alfalfa seeding in the ground when the rain stops. Being organic, we don't plant corn or beans until mid-May to the 1st of June. We want the ground warm and the crop up fast to get ahead of the weeds. It also puts our pollination at a slightly different time as to not cross pollinate with the conventional corn. We usually leave one field for last minute manure hauling and that one gets chopped. An early frost may result in other fields not intended also getting chopped. One of the advantages of having cattle."

Cory Ritter, Blue Mound, Ill.

"We are a long ways away from switching any acres. In 2009 we finished corn planting on June 7! Also looking back in on yield records, that was one of our most productive years. The cost of the nitrogen that is down already, makes that decision hard. I haven't set a date for switching acres, but it would be in June. I just hope we can get after it in the next two weeks. Farmers in the area, and me also, enjoying the rain... But we are not far from cursing it!"

Phil Carter, New Era, Mich.

"My last field of corn went in June 13 last year (due to recurring planter problems. Solved that. My new planter should be here any day.) I don't like to plant that late but used an 84-day corn and got lucky with a late fall. It turned out pretty good in spite of the dry summer. I don't do soys because of our lighter soils and short climate, but the main reason is apple harvest usually interferes with bean harvest. Both of these crops aren't very forgiving with late harvest and I have more invested in the apples than beans. Total income from apples is usually a lot higher than beans but requires a lot more inputs and hand harvest labor."

Bob Birdsell, Stanberry, Mo.

"We'll go till the middle of June if we have to. I feel the risk will be worth it with the stocks the way they are, we have done it before. We can plant all our corn in three days if we had to just don't want to. I just can't run on four hours of sleep like I use to. We get past the middle of June it would depend if the nitrogen was already on if we went to beans if not it would be beans for sure. As for planting dates I'm old school it's got to be at least tax day and ground temps of 55 degrees."

Pete Bardole, Jefferson, Iowa

"We like to have all our corn planted by the last week in April but I believe we would plant corn until the first of June. We have planted in ponds late and got nearly the same yield as our early-planted corn; it all depends on the weather. It also depends on how crop insurance deals with changing to beans. I'm more worried about a late frost this spring than an early frost this fall at this point. We have around 1,000 acres of corn to plant and with four clear days we could easily plant them. It is that way for most, so I think you would have to get into June for very many acres to shift to beans. So at this point it is still early and as the weather allows we will start planting."

Steve Howe, Thurman, Iowa

"How late is too late? First or second week of June would be the latest I would plant corn. Dad never pulled the planter out of the shed till May first. Most farmers only need 5 days to finish, so we have plenty of time."

Jeff Littrell, Chatfield, Minn.

"We have been farming in the great northern tundra for well over 34 years and I've planted corn from early April to late May/early June and I've never been concerned with the date since most of the experts telling me the optimal date don't farm. We have actually had our best corn crop June 4th planted and the yield was 225 to 330 bushel per acre on a 98-day corn. My plan will stay the same until mid-June."

If you'd like to be a part of our email conversation, contact me at cheri.zagurski@telventdtn.com

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