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Slow start has Indiana farmer concerned

It’s been a slow start to the planting season for Vanderburgh County, Indiana farmer Joe Steinkamp.  Much of his farm ground is located in the Ohio River bottoms and after the river crested last week – that farm ground sat under water.

While many farmers say they aren’t too worried about the slow start to planting, Steinkamp says the location of his farm combined with the cool, wet weather – has him concerned.  “Every day after May 10^th, is yield potential lost that can’t be regained,” he says.  “I like to be planting in April if at all possible.  But with the forecast I am looking at, we’re already pushed into May and we could already be losing yield potential.”

He tells Brownfield one of the great things about farming today is the available technology.  “The hybrids of corn and the variety of beans we plant now have potential to work through the struggles of late planting,” he says.  “So I’m still optimistic of a late crop.”

With the precipitation this past weekend, Steinkamp says he may be able to start planting by the end of the week.