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Agronomist hopes grain farmers can beat the heat this growing season

An Illinois-based agronomists hopes corn and soybean farmers get a timely planting window to help beat the heat later in the season.

Chris Brown with Burrus Seed says it’s been a mild winter in his area with above average temperatures in many Corn Belt states, which could transfer to spring and summer.

“As we get to hotter temperatures our concerns are going to move from disease to more heat stress and drought type issues.”

He says farmers should take advantage of early planting windows to increase the chance for cooler temperatures during pollination.

“I always recommend to plant a variety of maturities, that way you can hedge your bets against some of those possible conditions throughout the season.”

He recommends planting when soil temperatures are 50 degrees and rising and reminds farmers not to plant too close to a rain event as seeds are most susceptible to cold water damage in the first 48 hours.