In recent years, the emphasis on getting crops in the ground early seems to trump all else. But when Mother Nature sets you back, attention to other details may help make up for any potential yield losses.

The more uniformly corn emerges, the more equally plants compete for resources and the higher their ultimate yield. To improve uniformity, ensure the main frame of the corn planter is level once it has been placed in the ground and pulled forward several hundred feet. Check for planter wear that can contribute to vibrations or bouncing in the field and only drive the recommended speed (manuals often say 4.5-5mph), to avoid skips.

Until April 26 (May 1 in <3000 CHU areas), for best results, wait for soil temperatures to read above 10°C (50°F) around 11:30 am using a 10 cm (4”) soil thermometer.