The 2025 spring planting season can be summed up in three letters. WET!
Both farmers and gardeners struggled to get crops planted in between rain and in many cases, crops were planted in soil that was too wet.
According to the Adair County Mesonet station, the rainfall totals for April and May were 9.3 and 8.4 inches respectively. Total rainfall for June as of June 22 measured at 8.3 inches.
Late last week, UK Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Chad Lee released the following to grain crop farmers forecasting what we can expect to see out of corn this week as rain halts for a few days and temperatures soar above 90 degrees.
The heat and sun over the next few days will send a lot of corn to tassel and will help younger corn reach rapid growth. All the corn that looked pale and yellow during those storms will have reached a deep green color by Monday, June 23, 2025, if it has adequate nutrients and good roots. Corn that was shin-high this week will be waist high or taller next week. Corn that was shoulder high this week will tassel by next Friday.
By Friday, June 27, 2025, we will learn if we had too many planting sins. Corn suffering from sidewall compaction, corn planted too shallow (or soil washed away), and corn limited by subsurface compaction will start showing nutrient deficiencies by the end of next week. Before a farmer orders more fertilizer, the farmer or crop scout should identify if other problems are occurring.
If corn roots are severely restricted to the seed furrow and/or severely restricted 1 to 3 inches beneath the soil surface, then walk away. Additional fertilizer will not help those roots break through. Those roots cannot access nutrients, oxygen or water beyond that compacted layer. The amount and cost of fertilizer needed over the course of the season would far exceed the returns to yield. Also, this corn is at extremely high risk for drought stress during seed fill. Leaves on this corn will roll long before corn with excellent roots will show any symptoms. Again, walk away until harvest. There is no need to throw more money after a bad situation.
If corn roots have broken through the compaction layer, then this corn has a chance to make a good crop. It will be a little more susceptible to drought later. If adequate nutrients were already applied, then there is no need to apply more. Monitor and scout these fields for insects and diseases later in the season.
If corn has a shallow placement (because of shallow planting or soil being washed away) then this crop can recover well. It is at greater risk for lodging during seed fill, but it has potential for excellent yields. If adequate fertilizer was applied already, then there is no need to apply more. Scout these fields for insects and diseases later in the season.
For more information, contact the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service at 270-384-2317.
