Time Saved or a Step Ahead for Spring Planting Season

BY Dairyland Seed Agronomy Team

2024 Planting

One of the most difficult parts of any business is accepting the things that you cannot control but finding ways to manage around it. In agriculture we definitely do not control the weather, and trying to manage around it is an ever-changing proposition. The 2024 growing season has definitely giving us multiple opportunities to manage around.

The age-old phrase “You need to make hay when the sun is shining” really drives home the point of time management. We only have so many hours to get a crop in, get it cared for and harvested, all while working around Mother Nature’s “opportunities” that are provided. The aspect of time management is made apparent to me when many of the farmers that I get to visit will indicate that they put on their crop nutrients (manure or purchased fertilizers) and crop protection products as soon as it is agronomically and environmentally feasible, many in the fall or very early spring.

This management decision to have a portion of their acres “prepared” for spring allows them to put their crop in when they and Mother Nature allow/decide, while not waiting for an agronomy supplier to get there. This decision to plant when they want sets them up for a higher yield potential in most instances. This also gives them more time to factor in that half to full day, figuring out a hiccup or two on the monitor, planter or other equipment, without having the pressure of also trying to get a field fertilized.

The take home statement from this is, even having just one field ready to go in the spring allows you more opportunity to be a step ahead and more able to manage your operation and or more time with loved ones.