Iowa farmers are finishing planning and gearing up for the planting season ahead. However, before they get into their fields, farmers may want to review lessons learned from 2016’s planting and harvest seasons.

The majority of Iowa farmers planted their corn and soybean crop in a timely manner last year, giving them a head start on the season. According to the USDA’s Crop Progress and Conditions reports, corn growers were able to plant 7.5 days ahead of schedule. Soybean growers were just behind them, being 7.4 days ahead of schedule.

This early start may have helped farmers attain high yields. At the end of the season, yields were above the five-year average by about 34 bushels per acre for corn and 11 bushels per acre for soybeans.

However, early planting dates are not a guarantee, meaning farmers will still need to proactively anticipate growing challenges for 2017.

“If farmers want to continue to see high yields, the best thing they can do is get a plan in place,” says Mark Storr, Iowa technical service representative for BASF. “Farmers never know what curveball will be thrown their way. From weed, pest and disease pressures to overly saturated or dry fields, they need to be ready to confront it all.”

Yields were up, so were resistant weeds
While corn and soybean yields were up last year, so were the problems with herbicide-resistant weeds. A 2016 analysis published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach reported that Palmer amaranth extended its reach to 24 counties in Iowa. Many farmers also reported waterhemp taking a stand in their fields, a continuing problem for Iowa.

These weed pressures reaffirm the importance of applying preemergent residual herbicides early in the season. Such herbicides will target weeds before they emerge, starting your season out right with clean fields.

“Once the growing season is underway, it is important to stick to the plan and follow through on commitments to achieve maximum return on investment at harvest,” says Storr. “This will help farmers combat the issue of low commodity prices faced in 2016. Farmers can learn more about 2017 planning by speaking to their local BASF representative.”