Spring is underway, and planting intentions are high. The southern region has experienced increased soil temperatures and sunny days, which have helped start drying fields.

As you prepare for the upcoming season, here are a few tips and considerations to keep in mind before making that first planter pass this season.

- Adequate soil temperatures are critical to achieving successful corn germination. Corn seed germination requires a minimum soil temperature of 50°F at the seeding depth.

- A general rule for determining the earliest corn planting date is to wait until the morning soil temperature reading at the 2 in. soil depth is between 50 and 55°F or when the soil temperature is greater than 50°F at a 6 in. depth.

- Similar temperatures are needed with soybeans; however, germination and emergence at soil temperatures between 50 and 55°F will be slow. But, as soil temperatures increase, emergence rates will also increase.

- Typically, the fields that dry out first are those with lighter, sandier soils. While this is beneficial in getting across the field, we need to consider that these soils can experience greater fluctuations in soil temperature.

- Air temperature is less important than soil temperature during this time. Drastic swings in temperature (especially at night) and rain events can significantly impact temperatures on lighter soils.

- When planting these acres, be mindful of the forecast. It's beneficial to have a warming trend in the following seven to ten days.

- Corn seed requires an overall accumulation of 65-80 GDUs for germination and 100-120 GDUs for emergence. When planting corn early, the goal is to acquire 80 or more GDUs in the first ten days to achieve uniform emergence.

GDU= (Daily Max. Temp. + Daily Min. Temp.)/2 – 50

- When the maximum air temperature is over 86°F, set the maximum temperature value at 86. When the minimum air temperature is under 50°F, we set the minimum temperature value at 50.

Considering these topics before making that first pass across the field is critical to maximizing your yield potential.

- The goal is to have successful, uniform corn seedling emergence. Corn plants will not compensate for/accelerate growth to catch up with surrounding plants.

- Uneven emergence reduces the yield potential of both early- and late-emerging plants.

- Early planted soybean crops have an increased potential to compensate for uneven emergence or partially reduced stands.

- Soybean yield correlates with the number of nodes/A., not necessarily the number of plants/A. Earlier planting offers an opportunity to increase node count.

Beck's has several excellent resources available to help you define and refine your early season management practices. Beck's 