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Irrigation still might be necessary after wet spring

An irrigation educator says late planted corn and soybeans will compete for the same water resources this year in the Eastern Corn Belt.

Lyndon Kelley with Michigan State University and Purdue University Extension tells Brownfield while soil moisture levels have been abundant this season, planting delays in the spring will mean water requirements for corn and soybean crops will overlap during critical growth stages.  “From tasseling through dough stage, it’s at the highest water removal per day.  For soybeans we’re a little ahead of that.  Most of our soybeans are just now at first blossom, R3 is the peak time for soybeans.”

He says the current ag economy can make it challenging for some farmers to pay for irrigation.  “It’s pretty hard to pay for irrigation when corn is in that $3.80-3.90 range.  When it gets over $4.50 things look really good.  If they have large field sizes and fairly low investments in irrigation, they can be very profitable when we get over the $4 range.”

Kelley recommends farmers shouldn’t irrigate if it’s not necessary, and to use an irrigation scheduling program to monitor crop needs and limit water use.

AUDIO: Interview with Lyndon Kelley