Battle for the Belt: Season 3, Episode 12 - Economic Considerations for Replanting

Season 3, Episode 12 of Battle for the Belt is now available, covering economic considerations for replanting:

Unfavorable spring conditions can delay planting and affect crop establishment (e.g., cold weather, wet soils, rain events, insect damage, soil crusting). With such, lower stands can be the result, and there comes the question of whether replanting will be a good option. The replanting decision is based on two economic factors, yield potential and the cost of replanting.

Agronomic data suggest consistent yield losses for late planting—1 to 1.5 bushels per acre of yield loss for corn and 0.3 to 0.5 bushels per acre of yield loss for soybeans planted after early May. However, insurance policies do not recognize yield losses until after June 5 for corn and after June 20 for soybeans. Up until those respective dates, farmers will have the full coverage guarantee at their elected coverage level. After those respective dates, the guarantee declines by 1% per day.

Replanting is a tool that will help us to increase our yield in areas where our stand counts are low or zero, but we need to take into consideration that in a reduced stand, we can still have an average yield, considering that this plant had a full season growth. Significant costs will be present in replanting decisions, such as labor, seed, equipment, and increased drying costs at harvest. For instance, Ohio Farm Custom Rates suggests that planting costs are around $25 per acre for corn. While crop insurance replant indemnities may help offset these expenses, minimum acreage thresholds apply (20 acres or 20% of the unit).

Replanting is an important decision that needs to be based on yield potential and the cost of replanting. Other factors to consider include stand count evaluation, weather forecast, and crop insurance options/coverage.

What is happening in the field?

The heat and rain from last week rapidly increased growth, particularly at the Western location. The first planting date of soybean reached R1, or first open flower on the main stem (Figure 1). Generally, this occurs around the summer solstice but can occur sooner with earlier planting and heat unit accumulation. The second planting date (5/12) is at V2, and the third planting date (5/27) is at VC. For corn at this location, the first planting date reached V7 (Figure 2). The second planting date is at the V5 and the third is at the V2 stage.

At the Wooster location, the first planting date (3/27) of soybean is behind the Western and Northwest locations, at V3. This location accumulates heat units at a slower pace than other parts of the state. Planting dates two, three, and four growth stages are as follow: V2, VC, and VE. For corn, the stages for planting date one through four are as follows: V6, V5, V3, and VE.

The Northwest location received the most rain this past week at 1.69 inches (Table 1). The soybean for planting date one (3/27) have reached V4. Planting date two, three, and four stages are as follows: V3, V1, VE. For corn, the first and second planting date (4/16) are at V6, with planting date three at V4 and planting date four at V1.

If you would like to learn more, check out our research updates through C.O.R.N. article updates and YouTube Videos this growing season! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel.