Cover crops seeded into standing corn in early September are now showing what timely fall planting can do. Ben Hushon, Certified Crop Advisor with The Mill in White Hall, shared an update on the RFD-TV Market Day Report about how those cover crops look after a dry stretch, how close local farms are to finishing harvest, and what weekend rain means for the wheat crop.
Cover Crops Flown Over Standing Corn Are Taking Off
A month ago, the Market Day Report showed a drone application of cover crop seed over the top of standing corn. A viewer asked how it turned out. The answer is encouraging. September brought a decent amount of rain before the weather turned dry, and the cover crop has kept growing since.
Two species stand out. The radishes are rolling, and the oats are growing well. The oats in this cover crop mix are planted with the expectation that they will die off over winter. That means the stand will not need to be terminated in the spring, and the residue stays on the field as protection for the soil.
Seeding by drone over standing corn lets cover crop seed go on weeks before combines roll, which gives a cover crop more time to establish than seeding after harvest.
Dry Weather Helps Harvest but Leaves Water Behind
Rain has been scarce. By Ben’s count, it had been about 24 days since the last good rain before the weekend. For harvest, that is a gift. Combines are not rutting up fields, and farmers are not waiting on wet ground.
The dry spell is not a drought in the strict sense, but the region is behind where it should be for the year when it comes to reservoirs and wells. The weekend brought significant rain in some areas, with a couple of spots receiving an inch or two. That moisture helps the wheat crop and other small grains. Ben called the way the wheat is coming along amazing, given the dry conditions.
Soybean Harvest Is Nearly Wrapped Up
Harvest progress is close to the finish line. Soybean harvest is roughly 90 percent complete, and several farmers have reported having only 100 to 150 acres left. With favorable weather, harvest could be close to finished by the end of the week.
Markets Soften Ahead of the WASDE Report
Markets were mostly lower on the day of the interview. December corn fell about two and three quarter cents to $4.38 and three quarters, giving up the $4.40 level it had been holding. Soybeans were also lower at $11.90 and a half, down three and a quarter cents. Wheat was lower again after a lower Friday, with Chicago soft red winter wheat for July down three cents at $6.12 and a quarter and Kansas City hard red winter wheat for July down five and three quarter cents at $6.40. Traders were watching for the next day’s WASDE report.
Fall Cover Crop Checklist
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Walk fields seeded with a cover crop and note how each species established
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Record seeding dates, rates, and species for next year’s plan
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Compare stands where seed went on before harvest with fields seeded after harvest
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Plan spring field work around which cover crops will winter-kill and which will need termination
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Talk through next season’s cover crop plan with an agronomist before seed orders are placed
Talk to The Mill Agronomy Team About Cover Crops
Cover crops are easiest to plan when the fall results are fresh. Farmers with questions about cover crop species, seeding timing, or drone application can reach out to The Mill Agronomy Team. To learn more about The Mill, visit The Mill, explore The Mill’s Knowledge Center, or find the nearest location with The Mill’s store locator.
