In a typical year, 98% of corn and 89% of soybeans would have already been planted in Indiana.
Extreme weather this spring across the state has prevented farmers from entering their fields.
As of June 9, only 67% of Indiana corn acres and 42% of Indiana soybean acres have been planted.
Some farmers who were able to get in their fields sooner have credited their adoption of soil health practices, cover crops and no-till.
Farmers have been hit with a tsunami of information on how to recover. Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative has compiled a comprehensive resource to get farmers the specific information they need. They can find this information by visiting ccsin.iaswcd.org and clicking on “Soil Health Practices” or ccsin.org/conservation-practices/prevented-planting-tools.
The official resources have been pulled from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Purdue University, Midwest Cover Crops Council and more.
Topics include but are not limited to crop insurance, general cover crop options and considerations, general prevented planting decision tools for corn and soybeans, forage management considerations, weed management considerations, manure storage and use considerations, meeting in box (tools for local conservation staff to put on prevented planting meetings) and mental health resources.
CCSI and its governmental and private partners encourage farmers to visit the website and click on “Soil Health Practices” to learn what they can do to salvage their crops and to follow up with a visit to their local Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA-NRCS or extension office for additional help and resources.
Terry Ault is the district coordinator for the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District. Send comments to [email protected].
