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Planting wet causes long-term issues

A southern Illinois agronomist says even though the calendar is turning to June, farmers struggling to finish planting should still prioritize proper soil conditions.

John Pike, who operates Pike Ag LLC and farms in Williamson County, says long-term issues can arise for short-term gains.

“It’s good to say that we have something done, but a potential payoff of getting a crop planted now in bad conditions can come back and bite us later in the season,” he says, “or even seasons to come with added compaction and just losses to soil structure.”

He tells Brownfield damaging the soil’s structure severely hampers a field’s ability to withstand dry weather.

“The losses to soil structure will impede water infiltration and the water holding capacity of the soil.”  He says, “Those types of things can take years to regain.”

Pike says the added compaction caused by working a wet field also limits the crop’s ability to access needed moisture and nutrients throughout the growing season.

AUDIO: John Pike – Pike Ag LLC