To optimize yields, select corn hybrids and soybean varieties by soil types and field drainages.
Analyze soil tests to determine fertilization rates for each field.
Review herbicide practices from previous year to determine major weed pressures to be controlled.
Determine potential price outlooks utilizing advice from several different advisory services and developing a marketing plan to secure a floor price with upside potential.
Spring
Pickup large rocks
Apply fertilizer and pre-plant herbicides
Work fields once with a field cultivator or vertical till machine before planting
Plant cornfields as field conditions and weather allows.
Prefer to no-till plant beans into standing cornstalks. Will work soybean fields if conditions warrant.
No-till plant soybeans as conditions allow.
Spray all fencerows with 2-4D to control broadleaves (giant ragweed) and brush killer if needed to control trees and shrubs.
Late Spring - Early Summer
Post spray corn and soybean fields based on weed pressure
Side dress liquid nitrogen to post emerged corn.
Spot spray ditches and fence lines for weed control that was missed earlier.
Pick up rocks on all corn fields.
Late Summer - Early Fal
Scout fields for insects, weed, disease control and pre-yield estimate
Mow accessible waterways and ditches.
Fall
Harvest soybeans normally late September to early October
Harvest corn normally mid October to early November
Soybean ground would only be In-line Ripped due to compaction due to wet conditions.
Corn ground that will be planted back to corn is chisel plowed.
Soil samples are collected as needed for the following year (Usually a 3 year rotation).
Hog manure is applied on fields requiring additional soil tilth based on an Iowa DNR approved manure management plan. This is applied to ground that will be corn the following year.
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