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Agronomist describes planting conditions in Indiana

Planting is off to a slow start in Indiana because of cool and wet conditions.

Jordan Arndell is a DEKALB Asgrow technical agronomist based in southern Indiana.

“We have next to nothing planted,” he says. “The maps that show planting updates are still near 0 percent, maybe 1 percent, for southern Indiana and Kentucky.”

Arndell tells Brownfield the forecast for higher temperatures and wind is good news for growers.

“They’re getting some high winds out West, and those winds are going to be moving in our direction,” he says. “Normally I’m not excited about high winds. But, this year and specifically in our case looking for good drying conditions, I welcome those high winds. I’m hoping that will help dry some of these fields and we can hopefully get out there and get started planting.”

He says growers facing delays because of wet conditions will likely see increased disease and pest pressure.

“As we push planting back, we’re more likely to see higher pressure of diseases like tar spot and southern rust in corn and frogeye leafspot in soybeans,” he says. “Those diseases can be infectious to the plant earlier in its life cycle because we had a delayed planting process. We’re going to be more susceptible to worms and things of that nature as we go on into the year. I expect to see more disease, more pests, and more of everything. Mother Nature is really going to throw us a curve ball this year from what I can tell.”

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Audio: Jordan Arndell

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