Planting corn and soybeans after soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F is recommended.

Measure a half-inch to 2 inches below the soil surface in the early morning.

Generally, early planting comes with the risk of late-spring frost, insect or disease losses, and slug damage. However, timely planting is important to maximize yield. In Ohio, we have measured a 0.5 bushels-per-acre reduction in yield for each day soybeans were planted after the end of April. Similarly, grain yield can decrease to 1.75 bushels per acre per day for corn if planted after the end of April.

Plant soybeans 1 to 1.5 inches deep where tillage practices are being used.

If in no-till fields, three-quarters to 1 inch deep is recommended.

Shallow planting may emerge more quickly, but early planting may have a higher risk of herbicide exposure.

There is a higher risk of losses from soil crusting at greater planting depths if soil crusting is a concern.

Check planting depth consistency.

Plant corn 1.5 to 2 inches deep.

Adjust depth for field and weather conditions as needed.

Greater planting depths may delay emergence.

Shallower depths may cause poor root development, with nodal roots not developing properly and potentially leading to “floppy” or “rootless” corn.

Check planting depth consistency.

For May planting dates, 100,000 to 120,000 plants per acre is recommended as the target plant population in soybean.

The seeding rate in soybean is recommended to be about 25% higher than the target plant population.

It is recommended to factor in crop value and seed cost to determine the optimal economic seeding rate.

Depending on the hybrid and production environment, recommended plant populations (or final stand) have ranged from 24,000 to 34,000 plants per acre.

Adjusting the seeding rate to factor in germination and emergence losses is necessary.

To calculate the planting rate (seeding rate) in corn, consider the following formula: