It’s the end of the year. Time to evaluate what went right in the field in 2016, and determine how to use that information to make sound management decisions for 2017.

Here is a brief recap of the growing season in my territory of central Minnesota and some ideas on planning for next year.

Crops got in on time — even a little early.
Dry weather allowed central Minnesota growers to get into the field to plant corn by mid-April and soybeans before May 1. Moisture in the eastern part of my territory was just about perfect — well-timed and not too much. The western part, however, had excessive rainfall that stressed crops and delayed growth, especially in low-lying areas.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN: Evaluating field data from 2016 will help you make sound business decisions for your 2017 crops. (Photo courtesy of WinField)

Storms took a toll.
We had a hailstorm when much of our corn was at V3 to V4. Although the growing points were still belowground, it set us back. Accompanying wind and rain also caused some green snap, which led to uneven emergence in corn. We had other spotty hailstorms throughout the summer, and some soybean fields had to be replanted via direct seeding as a result of severe weather.

We lost some nitrogen.
Excessive rain in some areas either delayed nitrogen and starter fertilizer applications, or caused applied nitrogen to wash away. In other areas, farmers stayed on top of their nitrogen and starter fertilizer needs through monitoring with precision ag tools. These helped farmers determine what kind of rain events were on the way, the effect they could have on crops and where they should perform soil nitrate tests to gauge nitrogen levels.

Some diseases and weeds were evident; insects, not so much.
In areas with excessive rainfall, white mold was present in the majority of soybean fields to some degree, but was fairly well-contained. Waterhemp and giant ragweed were problematic. Most growers were able to apply a preemergent herbicide, and many came back with a second lay-by herbicide that provided some residual coverage. Growers who did not make a second application may have a fight on their hands with these weeds next year.

Soybean aphids were spotty, with overall numbers average to below-average. This was particularly beneficial for farmers who did a good job scouting, and were able to save an insecticide application and use that money for a fungicide or micronutrient application instead.

Northern corn leaf blight appeared early, and excessive moisture brought on stalk rot and anthracnose. Goss’s wilt was evident in some hybrids, yet confined to limited areas. Farmers should watch out for it next year. Because of adequate rainfall and farmers planting corn rootworm (CRW)-traited hybrids, CRW was not a big problem this year. However, with our recent mild winters, CRW survivability should have been a lot higher than it was, and corn rootworm feeding may show itself in 2017.

Look toward next year — now.
So, what can you do in the coming months to help nurture a successful 2017? Three words: Plan, plan, plan.

If you haven’t done so already, meet with your agronomist to create a written plan for 2017. Your plan should be detailed, yet flexible to allow for necessary in-season management adjustments.

Even more important, back up that plan with data. Sound, reliable, local data can help ensure that you are using facts, not emotion, to make decisions. With today’s tight commodity margins leaving little room for error, using relevant data and planning as much as possible for surprises can help you get off to a good start next spring.

Mesenbrink is a master agronomy adviser with WinField in central Minnesota. Contact him at [email protected].