Corn Left Out over the Winter, Manure on Wheat, and Canola Emergence Wins | RealAg Radio April 27/26

The episode opens with a surprising field observation: corn left standing through the winter can still deliver impressive yields, ranging from 180 to 300 bushels per acre, and maintain strong standability. Pete Johnson attributes this resilience to modern hybrid genetics and improved agronomic practices, noting that older varieties would have lodged badly. He also warns about deep combine ruts and soil compaction that can arise when harvesting late‑season corn, emphasizing the need for careful equipment management to protect soil health and future yields.

Turning to wheat, the hosts dive into the risks of early‑season manure applications. Applying manure when soil temperatures sit at –8 °C (about 18 °F) can cause severe tissue damage, especially in tire tracks, due to ice crystal formation within leaf cells. They recommend waiting until the ground warms or using low‑pressure tires to minimize compaction. Because manure’s nitrogen release is slower and distribution uneven, growers should aim for roughly two‑thirds of their nitrogen budget from commercial fertilizer, reserving the remaining third for manure to ensure uniform nutrient availability across the field.

The conversation wraps with practical guidance on growth regulator timing and volunteer corn control. Optimal lodging resistance is achieved when wheat growth regulators are applied at growth stages 30‑31, just as the growing point reaches ground level, though applications remain effective up to flag leaf. Volunteer corn in soybeans must be tackled early with fops, while enlist corn requires dimethenamid‑P (dims) applied before the plants become waist‑high. Finally, the hosts note that geese gravitate toward the healthiest wheat strips, creating localized damage that may necessitate targeted mowing or herbicide treatment. These insights help producers balance yield potential, input costs, and environmental challenges this spring.