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Agronomist advises against early action in the field

Spring-like weather across sections of the Corn Belt has some farmers starting fieldwork much earlier than usual.

But, Matt Montgomery, sales agronomist with Illinois-based Burrus Seed cautions farmers from getting overly ambitious this early in the year.

“People are putting on a bit of anhydrous, you can see why people are doing that,” he says.  “Probably getting a bit early on the trigger for some of that – I get a bit anxious. I hope they put on something like N-Serve or something to at least try and hold on to that nitrogen.”

He tells Brownfield if seed is planted too early, in too cool conditions there is an increased risk for soil borne diseases.

“Trying to get around some of that early season stress, trying to get a crop up and moving,” he says.  “That probably does become a concern, just a little bit. We get lulled into this idea that we’re heading into this really warm spring trend, get out unusually early and then have everything turn out the exact opposite way and now you have seed sitting in the ground.”

And while forecasts might be for extended periods of warmer weather – Montgomery reminds farmers anything is possible weather wise between now and the recommended planting date.

Audio: Matt Montgomery, Sales Agronomist, Burrus Seed

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