Final planting dates loom, but options exist

Kansas

Farmers whose 2009 wheat crop has been planted are feeling pretty good after most of Kansas received from 2- to 4-inches of rain in mid-October. That moisture laid an excellent foundation for growth, heading into winter.

For those who still have wheat to plant, however, several days of damp weather have caused a fair share of heartburn and concern about when the ground will dry enough to complete wheat planting.

Cool soil temperatures and relatively short days will keep soil moist for some time before farmers can get back into the field. But Jim Shroyer, Research and Extension agronomist at Kansas State University, says there is plenty of time for farmers to plant wheat this fall in expectation of a profitable harvest next summer.

"Last year was a case in point. Late planted wheat did quite well because we had an unusually cool and wet May and June. In some cases, the late planted wheat was the best," he said. "This scenario doesn't play out all the time, but it can happen."

Farmers planting wheat in late October and November should boost their seeding rate to 90, perhaps 120 pounds per acre depending upon the planting date and whether wheat follows a just-harvested row crop. The increased rate will compensate for lack of tillers prior to winter dormancy, Shroyer said.

Another issue to consider is that of compaction. Farmers will be chomping at the bit to get back into the field after the rain, but doing so too early could cause long-term problems.

"Planting too early after wet conditions could cause compaction and then you deal with that all year long," he said.

Shroyer reminds producers that they must be mindful of crop insurance planting deadlines. According to the USDA's Risk Management Agency, wheat must be planted by a particular date in order to qualify for full 100 percent crop insurance coverage. These dates, and counties affected, are:

Oct. 15: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Sherman, Thomas and Wallace.

Oct. 20: Norton, Phillips, Smith, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellis, Greeley, Wichita, Scott, Lane, Hamilton, Kearny, Stanton, Grant, Morton, Stevens.

Oct. 31: Jewell, Republic, Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Clay, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Atchison, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Russell, Lincoln, Ottawa, Ellsworth, Saline, Dickinson, Geary, Ness, Rush, Barton, Rice, McPherson, Finney, Hodgeman, Pawnee, Stafford, Haskell, Gray, Ford, Edwards, Stafford, Seward, Meade, Clark.

Nov. 5: Morris, Marion, Chase, Reno, Harvey, Kiowa, Pratt, Kingman, Sedgwick, Butler, Comanche, Barber, Harper, Sumner, Cowley.

Nov. 15: Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas, Johnson, Lyon, Osage, Franklin, Miami, Coffey, Anderson, Linn, Greenwood, Woodson, Allen, Bourbon, Elk, Wilson, Neosho, Crawford, Chautauqua, Montgomery, Labette, Cherokee.

Farmers can still plant wheat after the RMA Final Planting Date, but 1 percent of their coverage rate will be lost for each day planting is delayed. For example, if a farmer has signed up for 75 percent coverage, the planting deadline is Oct. 31 and the field is not planted until Nov. 15, coverage actually will be reduced to 60 percent. However, the full premium must be paid. Farmers have 25 days after the final planting date to complete wheat planting; thereafter, coverage is voided.

The RMA suggests farmers affected by late fall rains contact a crop insurance agent for more details about late planting or preventive planting options.

10/27/08
1 Star WK\9-B

Date: 10/23/08

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