The planter pass is the most important pass of the season. It sets the stage for everything else. Equally important is the time spent doing planter maintenance, prep, and set up. Each planter or row unit manufacturer has specific guidelines as to how to set and adjust specific equipment, so always reference the owner’s manual, but the following holds true for most planting implements.

Every year when the calendar flips to April, I sit back and think about how awesome it would be if I could tell you the exact crop plan and weather to obtain maximum yields in the season ahead. Sadly, I can’t do that, but I can at least pass on a few reminders that will set the foundation for a high-yielding crop. In my opinion, the planter pass is the most important pass of the season, and should be treated as such.

For most farmers in Wisconsin and northern Illinois, the spring planting season seems like a long distant look into the future, but prepping for that time should start from the seat of the combine. With increases in yield, plant population and stalk quality, residue management has become one of the most important aspects of farming.

Conditions throughout many parts of Wisconsin and northern Illinois have been favorable for the development of corn ear molds. Ear molds are of particular concern because of the adverse effects they can have on grain storage. They also result in the development of mycotoxins, which can have detrimental effects on feed value and animal health. 

Protecting corn from yield-robbing pests is one of the greatest concerns for farmers each year. From late June to mid-July these pests include foliar diseases and silk clipping insects. Properly managing these pests is crucial, and we can start by getting a better understanding of the economic and agronomic factors of each specific field.