Planting depth for row crops is a main topic of discussion in the agricultural community. Beck’s PFR team has heard your questions and in response, has put planting depth to yet another test. You may have seen our planting depth data over the last few years, but this year we added a second planting date into the mix. For this study, we planted corn in April and in May. In April, we tend to see cooler, wetter soils whereas in May we sometimes experience drier periods with less rainfall and warmer soil temperatures. Soil temperature and moisture have a great effect on how plants emerge. In this study, we looked to evaluate how much soil conditions can affect plant emergence, and how much yield potential we lose with late-emerging plants.

Being a Beck’s Production Intern is far more than just scouting fields. I found this out for myself when I had a chance to tag along with Kaitlin and Brandt, two of this year’s interns, earlier this week. In just a few short hours, I got an up-close look at Beck’s Production Agronomy Department.