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Insects and weeds
Insect pest issues should also be considered. Planting after May 25 increases the possibility of damage from European corn borer (ECB) and warrants selection of ECB Bt hybrids if suitable maturities are available. In past Ohio State studies, Bt hybrids planted after the first week of June consistently out-yielded non-Bt counterparts even at low-to-moderate levels of ECB. "Since many corn growers will be planting stacked hybrids this year, which include Bt resistance for ECB, this may be a non-issue unless there's a need to switch to earlier maturing hybrids," Thomison says.
For more information on selecting corn hybrids for delayed planting, download "Delayed Planting and Hybrid Maturity Decisions," a Purdue University/Ohio State publication available as a PDF.
Weed-management strategies will also need to be adjusted for both corn and soybeans this year because of the wet conditions.
"Very little weed management has been done so far this year in Ohio and Indiana, either through tillage or through herbicides, so poor weed control could be another factor limiting yield," Prochaska notes. "Farmers may need to control weeds primarily with herbicides, if appropriate tillage is not possible. Further, 2,4-D has been an intrinsic herbicide tool utilized in pre-plant burndown programs, but due to mandated time restrictions between application and crop planting, it may not be used. As such, herbicide programs may need to be altered."
More information about delayed planting and tillage and herbicide programs is available in Ohio State's C.O.R.N. Newsletter.
