Passing the April 1 mark will unleash corn planters in many area fields, even though Friday is the first day for putting corn seed in the soil without any crop insurance repercussions. However, any fields planted now will not be the first in west central Ohio. I know of several farmers who have already transferred seed from the bag to the bottom of the planter made trench. Fields planted as early as March 21 now exhibit emerged seedlings.  

Granted, these fields are few and far between, but the farmers who manage them were confident that the only risk at the time of planting was the weather. 

Soil conditions were near perfect in selected fields, with the topsoil sporting almost ideal temperature and moisture levels for the seed to germinate. Such locations have excellent tile and surface drainage, with few if any low areas that might hold excessive rainfall or be most susceptible to frost. With better hybrid genetics and seed treatments, exposing limited acreage to the whims of Mother Nature can be acceptable to those wanting to test their agronomic skills.

Who knows, if soil moisture levels stay just above ideal field working status, preventing additional planting throughout the month; if April temperatures routinely reach 70 during the day and only drop to 50 at night providing those seedlings enough sun and warmth to flourish; and if pollination time heat impairs reproduction potential of May planted corn; maybe March planted corn turns into the best gamble of all.  

We all know that long term studies and practical experience indicate leaving seed in the bag for a couple more weeks likely provides the best yields. Of course, the Corn Belt would have never been settled had our predecessors not been willing to take some risks.

As mentioned earlier, the turning of the calendar brings more planters out of the barn so acreage planted is likely to rise steadily as soil conditions permit. Good weather days have allowed farmers to apply manure, plow, chisel, strip till and perform secondary tillage at many locations. Many fields could be planted without any additional fieldwork, once soils are dry enough for seeding equipment to properly place seed.  

Much of the wheat was top-dressed recently with nitrogen. Burndown weed control product application is obvious on farms across Ohio, with winter annuals and cover crops turning brown. Countless rigs were seen this past week applying fertilizer and crop protection products.

Due to the mild winter, insects are more likely to show up early. Alfalfa producers should watch closely for alfalfa weevil feeding. 

Driving across several counties, it is easy to see numerous fields of alfalfa could prove to be very inviting to this leaf chewing pest. Proper scouting procedures are available from various state Extension Entomologists or your local Extension office. 

In Ohio, accessing the CORN Newsletter online helps keep growers up to date on the development of the weevil and other insects.  

Since flea beetle survival over the past winter probably exceeds most years, expect this disease carrying pest to be active, when soil temperatures reach 65 degrees. Sunny, warm, windless days favor the flea beetle, according to Ohio State University Extension Entomologist Ron Hammond. 

The critter may carry Stewart’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight, significant threats to sweet corn and some non-transgenic dent hybrids. Keep in mind though, that the low incidence of the disease last year means it is not as likely that the flea beetle is even carrying the bacterium this year.

Since most field corn hybrids are resistant to the bacterial infection, and most seed utilized has a protectant seed treatment, few farmers should seed a problem. Check with seed dealers for hybrid resistance levels and seed treatment capabilities.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.