Is it actually time to plant?
Is it actually time to plant? Farm Progress
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
As spring conditions come in and out of the Dakotas, many farmers are itching to get their crops in the ground. But with such varied weather at the start of the growing season, when is the right time to plant?
Gary Hegg, a technical agronomist for DEKALB Asgrow who covers South Dakota, says careful consideration on planting time can minimize the chance of having to replant. “The main driver is moisture and temperature,” he explains.
After his territory received a heavy rainstorm in mid-April, Hegg says that conditions are cold and wet. “Moisture is more important than temperature when considering planting. If we’ve got wet pockets where the frost is slow to come out, we can really tax ourselves with inconsistent stands if we get out too early.”
So, what is optimal? “We’re really looking for good soil moisture and 50 degrees minimum temperature,” he says. “A lot of people like to think that once they hit 50 it’s go time, but I generally suggest for everyone to check temperatures in the morning to see what they really are.”
Strategize success
Once conditions are just right for successful planting, what else should be on your spring to-do list? Hegg says that this checklist likely started in the fall. “I’m a big proponent of having a clean field right at planting,” he says. “We generally recommend a fall applied residual ahead of soybeans. Then, follow up in season with Warrant for a layered residual approach for really good results. Products like Harness Max in corn have been very effective at tough-to-control weeds.”
Kochia and waterhemp are two of the top weeds to watch for in the 2024 growing season, and Hegg says a good way to keep weeds at bay is to closely scout in the spring. “As soon as it starts to warm up, scout for your hot pockets. Find where those weed patches are going to be at, and then follow up after herbicide delivery to see how effective that kill was,” he says.
These two weeds are an ever-present concern for producers in the Dakotas.
“Weed flushes happen throughout the year, and later rains can provide heavier pressure from both kochia and waterhemp in season,” Hegg says. “As we move west, dicamba is very effective, which is why we’re hopeful to get more concrete labels set, so we can continue to use it. It’s the best product we have for managing kochia in soybeans.”
Diseases such as tar spot continue to move north each year, but Hegg says he hasn’t seen it in his territory just yet. “I’m really hopeful that it doesn’t sneak into my area,” he says. “I think our winters in the state are going to help stave off that disease, but we’ll wait and see.”
Do you need to replant?
The decision to replant a crop varies greatly from farm to farm. Hegg says that the biggest factor in making this decision comes down to dollars and cents. “Generally, early in the season if you have a thin stand at all, it’s likely enough to trigger a replant,” he says. “If you’re planting a 30,000 population, and you’re 10% to 15% off, it’s likely enough to replant.”
This decision is further affected by the population yield goal and which hybrids were planted. “We have some hybrids where your flex potential is greater, where they can absorb that thinner stand,” Hegg says.
Planting the right hybrid at the right time, paired with the right weed and disease management, will leave your crops at bin-busting yields come harvest. For information, contact your local DEKALB Asgrow agronomist.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality | – Soil moisture levels – Temperature conditions for planting – Weed management effectiveness |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment | – Herbicide effectiveness in controlling weeds – Disease management effectiveness |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The article discusses the optimal conditions for planting crops and emphasizes the importance of moisture and temperature. These factors directly impact food production systems and agricultural practices, which are key components of SDG 2.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article mentions the use of herbicides for weed control and the management of diseases. These practices are related to responsible consumption and production as they aim to achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and minimize their adverse impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
The article highlights the importance of considering moisture and temperature conditions for planting to ensure successful crop production. This aligns with the target of implementing resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production while adapting to climate change and extreme weather events.
Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
The article mentions the use of herbicides for weed control and the need to manage diseases effectively. These practices are relevant to achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and minimizing their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
For Target 2.4:
– Soil moisture levels: Monitoring soil moisture levels can help assess whether sustainable food production systems are being implemented.
– Temperature conditions for planting: Tracking temperature conditions can indicate whether agricultural practices are adapting to climate change and extreme weather events.
– Weed management effectiveness: Evaluating the effectiveness of weed management practices can determine if resilient agricultural practices are being implemented.
For Target 12.4:
– Herbicide effectiveness in controlling weeds: Assessing the effectiveness of herbicides in controlling weeds can indicate progress in achieving environmentally sound management of chemicals.
– Disease management effectiveness: Monitoring the effectiveness of disease management practices can help measure progress in minimizing the adverse impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality | – Soil moisture levels – Temperature conditions for planting – Weed management effectiveness |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment | – Herbicide effectiveness in controlling weeds – Disease management effectiveness |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: farmprogress.com
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