Planting season is wrapping up across Farmward territory, and attention is quickly shifting toward crop emergence, weed control, and early-season scouting.
Warmer temperatures this week should help crops progress quickly. Across many areas, corn is now emerging well, and soybeans are not far behind. Overall, early stands are looking solid.
At the same time, growers and agronomists are beginning to focus on stand counts, early weed pressure, and planning for post-emerge herbicide applications.
What We’re Seeing Across the Region
Southern Region
Most growers in the southern region are wrapped up with planting, and early stand checks are showing positive results so far.
Attention is now turning toward:
- Evaluating stands and emergence
- Returning unused seed and pre-emerge products as soon as possible
- Planning early post-emerge herbicide applications
Fields that did not receive a pre-emerge herbicide application will likely be some of the first acres sprayed with an early post pass.
Northern Region
Conditions remain fairly steady across the northern region, with growers continuing to monitor crops after recent high winds.
A large amount of chemical is moving out as growers prepare for post-emerge applications.
Sugarbeet spraying is also beginning and will be a major focus over the next couple of weeks.
As crops continue to emerge, field scouting and weed monitoring will become more important heading into the second half of May.
Western Region
Warmer temperatures this week should help push young crops along quickly.
Corn emergence has increased significantly over the past several days, and many soybean fields should begin emerging by the end of the week.
This is an excellent time for growers to begin taking stand counts to evaluate:
- Germination
- Emergence consistency
- Effects from earlier cool conditions
Stand counts are one of the simplest ways to measure how fields are performing early in the season.
See guide below for doing stand counts in corn: Use your respective row spacing and length associated with that row spacing. Measure the length with a tape measure in the field, and multiply by 1,000 to get your population.
Weed pressure is also beginning to show up in some early planted fields. In certain areas, pre-emerge herbicides have already been on for three to four weeks, and small weeds are beginning to emerge, including some waterhemp.
Field edges are showing some of the earliest pressure, especially from:
- Grasses
- Thistles
Cleaning up these problem areas early can help reduce weed pressure later in the season.
Alfalfa conditions continue to look strong overall, with very little winter kill being reported.
What This Means for Your Operation
Warmer weather should speed up emergence – Many fields could be fully emerged by the end of the week
Early scouting is becoming important – Stand counts can help identify uneven emergence or stand issues early
Weed pressure is beginning to build – Especially in fields sprayed earlier or without a strong residual program
Field edges should not be ignored – Early grasses and thistles can spread quickly if left untreated
This Week’s Recommendations
- Begin taking stand counts in early planted fields – Check emergence consistency and plant population
- Scout fields for early weed pressure – Especially around field edges and lighter residual areas
- Prepare for post-emerge herbicide applications – Make sure products and plans are ready
- Continue monitoring crops after recent wind events – Watch for stress or uneven growth patterns