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Area farmers have been patient this spring as cool temperatures keep planters in the shed instead of in the fields.
Nathan Braun of Garretson was applying anhydrous ammonia to a field east of Luverne on April 26 and said he hopes to be planting in the same field this week.
“The calendar was saying it was time to go, but Mother Nature says it’s not ready,” Braun said.
On Monday soil temperatures at the 2-inch depth still registered in the 40s, about 20 degrees cooler than what’s ideal for young seeds to thrive.
“Last year some farmers realized they started planting too early and it cost them,” Braun said.
Some seed failed to thrive and either was replanted or yield was compromised at harvest.
Two weeks ago, with air temperatures climbing into the 80s and 90s, soil temperatures were reaching into the 50s-degree levels.
“The soil temperature was warming up nicely,” Braun said. “And then the next week it was cool again.”
He is hopeful this week will improve soil conditions and the recent windy conditions will dry fields to ideal levels.
“A few guys have worked up the ground and it’s dry on top but it is wet underneath — it’s not working up perfectly yet.”
According to Monday’s crop condition report, planting had just barely started.
Corn planting was 5 percent complete last week, up from 1 percent the previous week.
There was no planting report for soybeans.
The five-year planting average for this time of year is 23 percent for corn, with no report for soybean progress average.
Kent Thiesse, farm management analyst, urges continued patience.
“Most university and private agronomists are encouraging producers to be patient with initiating field work, and to wait until soil conditions are fit for good corn planting and germination,” he wrote in his latest Focus on Ag column.
“Given the high cost per acre of seed corn … most growers do not want to take the risk of planting in poor soil conditions. … Normally, in early May, the soil temperatures warm up quite rapidly.”
Farmers have until May 10, if soil conditions are favorable, for corn to achieve optimal yields.