Crop Watch Extension

With flooded fields and crusted soils Determining when replanting is feasible Torrential rainfall inundated fields and hail hammered corn seedlings, soil and property as thunder-storms rolled through south central Nebraska May 11. Stream banks weren't sufficient to contain the rising waters and many fields flooded. Even where crops were not flooded, the persistent hammering of rain and hail most likely caused thick soil crusts. How long can corn and soybean tolerate flooding? Also, prior to the storm, plants in some corn fields were emerging erratically. How do we decide whether replanting corn or soybean is beneficial? This issue of Crop Watch includes several stories related to replanting decisions, including corn assessment, soybean assessment, insect considerations, potential nitrogen fertilizer losses, and extended weed control needs. Corn replant guidelines 1. Determine the remaining plant population. Calculate the plant population in several "random " areas in the affected part of the field to help estimate the poten-tial yield. (This is assuming that everything else goes righ