Battle for the Belt: Season 4, Episode 2 – Corn and Soybean Planting Update

Season 4, Episode 2 of Battle for the Belt is now available:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0guQQ8KymU

Spring planting is officially underway across the state of Ohio, as well as within our Battle for the Belt 2.0 research project. While weather conditions always present some challenges, recent field activity has marked the start of our 2026 growing season.

At the Wooster location in Wayne County, Ohio, farm manager Lynn Ault reported that the first planting date of five was successfully completed on Monday, April 13 (Figure 1). This marks the first suitable planting window since early April for that area of Ohio, following a period of frequent rainfall and marginal soil conditions. Soil temperatures at the time of planting were approximately 57°F, with air temperatures reaching the low 80s (Table 1). This location received more than two inches of rainfall in the two weeks leading up to planting, including approximately half an inch shortly after planting. Despite these weather challenges, soil conditions had improved enough to allow for fieldwork.

In Clark County, Ohio, at the Western Agricultural Research Station, farm manager Joe Davlin reported that planting began on Friday, April 10, with both corn and soybean plots for the first planting date. Conditions at that time were generally favorable, with mostly dry soils allowing for good planting performance. While corn residue led to slightly wetter conditions than soybean stubble, overall seed placement was consistent between the two crops. Soil temperatures at planting were near 50°F (Table 1).

The Western station utilizes a stale seedbed system, including fall chisel plowing and field preparation, to allow for earlier spring planting when conditions permit. This management approach provides greater flexibility in taking advantage of early-season planting windows.

The Northwest Agricultural Research Station in Wood County, Ohio, was also able to complete planting date one (Table 1) on April 13, which will be discussed further in an upcoming update.

Table 1. Planting date soil and air temperature conditions for the first day of corn and soybean planting at the Western Agricultural Research Station, the Wooster campus, and the Northwest Agricultural Research Station. The soil and air temperature data were retrieved from: https://weather.cfaes.osu.edu/ 

As a reminder, across all three locations in this year’s study, five planting dates and five seeding rates are being assessed. Planting dates range from ultra early (late March to early April) to very late (mid to late June). For soybeans, target seeding rates range from 40,000 to 200,000 seeds per acre, and 16,000 to 40,000 seeds per acre for corn.

As the season progresses, emergence and early growth will depend heavily on upcoming weather conditions. Continued rainfall and fluctuating temperatures may influence stand establishment across the three locations.

Crop Update

Crop development is progressing quickly at the Western Agricultural Research Station, where both corn and soybean have reached the VE growth stage. This is likely driven by the earlier planting date (April 10) and greater accumulation of growing degree days (216).

At Wooster and the Northwest Agricultural Research Stations, progress has been slower, with only minimal emergence observed so far. Although temperature conditions have been similar across locations, these were planted several days later (April 13) and have lower cumulative GDDs (154 and 169, respectively). As conditions continue to improve, emergence and early growth are expected to accelerate at these sites.

Table 2. Precipitation, soil temperature, average air temperature, cumulative growing degree days (GDDs), and stage at the Western Agricultural Research Station, the Northwest Agricultural Research Station, and Wooster Campus. Weather data retrieved from: https://weather.cfaes.osu.edu/.

Keep following ‘Battle for the Belt 2.0’ this growing season to learn more and get further updates! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel.