By Liz Stahl, Extension Educator – Crops, Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist, and Matt Pfarr, Extension Educator-Crops
The 2026 planting season was off to an early start in Minnesota but cool and downright cold conditions have also raised some concerns. Dr. Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist, and Matt Pfarr, Extension Educator – Crops, discussed crop progress and next steps during the University of MN Extension May 20 Strategic Farming: Field Notes session. They were joined by moderator Dr. Anthony Hason, Extension Educator – Integrated Pest Management.
With the prevalence of dry conditions during planting this year, there have been few issues with clumpy or cloddy soils impacting emergence and stands. The dry soil conditions, unfortunately, were a contributing factor in the dust storms experienced in large parts of the state last week. With many areas picking up rain recently, Coulter reports we should be on track for a good year.
Soybeans were planted over a wide range of dates this year. In parts of southern MN, many farmers were ahead of long-term averages, with planting activity starting up during the week of April 6. Much progress was also made during the week of April 13. In areas of the state where conditions were wetter, such as SE MN, more planting occurred in May, which was still overall timely.
Crusting has been observed in some fields where crops were planted in less than ideal conditions, or when sealing rains occurred after planting. Timely use of a rotary hoe can help with crop emergence where soil crusting is an issue. As an additional option, a planter can be rolled across the furrow at a shallow depth, using the opening disks to break the crust. Be sure to lighten up the force on row cleaners and gauge wheels.
Checking corn and soybean standsFrost and freeze warnings this spring have raised concerns about potential stand issues in corn and soybean. It is key to assess stands as crops are emerging so decisions can be made in a timely manner if any issues are found. The Corn grower’s guide for evaluating crop damage and replant options provides more details for corn, and the article Soybean damage and replanting addresses how to check for stands in soybean.
If alfalfa is a feasible addition to your crop rotation, corn yields can be up to 10% more for corn following alfalfa compared to corn following corn. You also get a nice N credit from the alfalfa, as well as better protection from soil erosion and other soil health benefits. See Managing the rotation from alfalfa to corn and Adding alfalfa benefits corn-soybean rotations for more details and information on crop rotational benefits.
The Corn and Soybean Rotation Effect also discusses the impacts of various crop rotations on corn and soybean yield from long-term research conducted in MN and Wisconsin.
University of Minnesota’s Strategic Farming: Field Notes webinar series, offered Wednesdays morning from 8 to 8:30 am through August 12, provides useful, timely, and relevant research-based information on cropping issues throughout the growing season. For more information and to register, visit z.umn.edu/strategic-farming.
Thanks to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council and the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council for their generous support of this program!
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| Corn emerging in field. Photo: Liz Stahl |
The 2026 planting season was off to an early start in Minnesota but cool and downright cold conditions have also raised some concerns. Dr. Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist, and Matt Pfarr, Extension Educator – Crops, discussed crop progress and next steps during the University of MN Extension May 20 Strategic Farming: Field Notes session. They were joined by moderator Dr. Anthony Hason, Extension Educator – Integrated Pest Management.
Overview of corn progress
We’ve had an early start to the planting season this year, particularly in parts of southern MN. Planting was early and progressed at a record pace. Conditions were dry, with areas picking up some moisture finally last week. Growing Degree Units (GDUs) since May 1 are 3 to 7 % behind long term averages at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca and Southwest Research and Outreach Center, respectively. Cool conditions have slowed crop progress, but the crop is still slightly ahead of normal due to overall earlier planting dates.Checking for issues in corn
Frost and freeze warnings have raised concerns, but with the growing point still below ground, corn should be able to recover from tissue damage without any losses to stand. Windstorms last week resulted in the sandblasting of plants, cutting off plants in some cases, but plants should be able to recover without any stand losses. Dry conditions combined with cooler temperatures may be resulting in apparent nutrient deficiencies. Where soil tests show nutrients are adequate, any deficiencies showing up in corn at this point are likely cosmetic. Once soils warm up and plants and roots start to more actively grow, plants should be able to better access nutrients in the soil.With the prevalence of dry conditions during planting this year, there have been few issues with clumpy or cloddy soils impacting emergence and stands. The dry soil conditions, unfortunately, were a contributing factor in the dust storms experienced in large parts of the state last week. With many areas picking up rain recently, Coulter reports we should be on track for a good year.
Overview of soybean progress
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| Soybeans emerging. Photo: Matt Pfarr |
Crusting has been observed in some fields where crops were planted in less than ideal conditions, or when sealing rains occurred after planting. Timely use of a rotary hoe can help with crop emergence where soil crusting is an issue. As an additional option, a planter can be rolled across the furrow at a shallow depth, using the opening disks to break the crust. Be sure to lighten up the force on row cleaners and gauge wheels.
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| A rotary hoe can help where soil crusting has occurred. Photo: Matt Pfarr |
Next steps include timely weed control
As temperatures warm, especially where moisture has been received, weed emergence and growth will continue to ramp up. Target postemergence (POST) applications to weeds no more than 3 to 4 inches in height to help optimize control. Overlapping a residual herbicide (using a preemergence (PRE) herbicide at planting followed by a PRE herbicide with your POST application) can help with waterhemp control. Consider the potential for antagonism between your POST product and a grass herbicide. Splitting up these applications can help address issues.Impacts of crop rotation
Questions about crop rotation were also addressed. The MN Long-Term Agricultural Research Network (LTARN), with locations at Waseca, Lamberton, and Grand Rapids, is set up to look at the impacts of long-term crop rotations on various factors. Results from these trials and others, as well as farmer reports, show that adding a 3rd crop (i.e. a small grain) to a corn and soybean rotation can lead to better net returns when the whole rotation is considered. One advantage is that a longer rotation can help break up some pest cycles. See Crop rotations improve environmental outcomes while keeping farms profitable for more details. Knowing where you can sell the 3rd crop is key, as well as taking into account the transportation costs to take a 3rd crop to market.If alfalfa is a feasible addition to your crop rotation, corn yields can be up to 10% more for corn following alfalfa compared to corn following corn. You also get a nice N credit from the alfalfa, as well as better protection from soil erosion and other soil health benefits. See Managing the rotation from alfalfa to corn and Adding alfalfa benefits corn-soybean rotations for more details and information on crop rotational benefits.
The Corn and Soybean Rotation Effect also discusses the impacts of various crop rotations on corn and soybean yield from long-term research conducted in MN and Wisconsin.
Join Us Wednesday mornings!
Join us next week when we welcome Dr. Jochum Wiersma, Extension Small Grains Specialist, and Ryan Miller, Extension Educator – Crops, for an update on small grains and cover crop termination.University of Minnesota’s Strategic Farming: Field Notes webinar series, offered Wednesdays morning from 8 to 8:30 am through August 12, provides useful, timely, and relevant research-based information on cropping issues throughout the growing season. For more information and to register, visit z.umn.edu/strategic-farming.
Thanks to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council and the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council for their generous support of this program!
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