A Pre-plant Checklist to Maximize the Season

“A lot of pre-planting prep is self-explanatory, but it helps to have a checklist,” said Rod Gustafson, Federated agronomist in Albertville. “Waiting until the last minute to know what you want to do isn’t the best idea.”
 
Gustafson has put together a high-level checklist of things to consider before planting begins.
 

• Make sure your agronomist knows where your fields are, has your maps, and, most importantly, knows your intentions. “Things will go more smoothly if you and your agronomist are on the same page,” Gustafson said.
• Have a plan for placing your corn and soybeans.  Know what fields get which hybrids or soybean varieties, etc.
• Fertilizer blends should be spread and pre-emerge chemicals to put down.
• Make sure Federated knows your fertilizer blends and herbicide treatments.
• Ensure that the soil temp is at least 50 degrees F at a 2-inch depth in the morning before planting. But also pay attention to the long-range forecast. “The last thing you want is a surprise frost after planting,” Gustafson said.
• Check soil conditions.
• Double check with Federated to make sure any product or service you’ve purchased is in place and set up to go when you’re ready.
• Give your planters a once-over and make sure they’re calibrated.
• Conduct general vehicle and equipment maintenance. Check tires, fluids, hydraulics, safety signage, etc.
• Don’t forget: Safety first! “We know it’s a busy time for everyone,” Gustafson said. “But take more time now to do things right, because a shortcut could be costly down the road.”

Some other considerations courtesy of Brevant Seeds include: 
 

• No planting ahead of a cold rain event.
• Conditions favor uniform emergence across the field.
• Overnight temps should not be expected to drop near freezing.

Read more from Brevant here.
 
“Don’t wait until you pull the planter out to decide what you’re going to do,” Gustafson said. “A little planning and prep before planting go a long way.”

Contact Your Federated Agronomist for assistance with any pre-planting activities, or simply to make sure we’re all on the same page. Or at least in the same field!