WINNSBORO, La. (RFD News) — Mixed weather and shifting input costs are shaping planting decisions this season, especially for farmers forced to replant.
Louisiana State University Assistant Professor and Statewide Corn, Cotton, & Grain Sorghum Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says an unexpected freeze in mid-March disrupted early corn planting across parts of the state.
“From a corn planting standpoint, we had some unexpected freezing weather happen in mid-March which kind of derailed some of our planting intentions here in Louisiana.”
She says uneven freeze damage left many producers with tough decisions on whether to replant.
Kerns also points to seed availability as a challenge this season, adding that many growers were unable to secure the same seed they originally planted.
“I haven’t spoke to one grower that was able to get the same seed that he originally planted. That’s causing some anxiety, but I will say that at the replant decisions were made, we probably replanted about 60% of what we had planted.”
Despite those challenges, she says the corn crop is generally doing well, though moisture remains a concern.
More growers are also turning to irrigation, adding to costs already impacted by replanting and higher input prices like fertilizer.
Kerns says seed availability may become less of an issue moving forward, as overall planting intentions were lower this season.
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