Today’s guest blogger is Jeff Middleton, Case IH Crop Production Specialist for North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia. Jeff grew up helping on his grandparents’ poultry farm, where they also had an ornamental shrub nursery. Before joining Case IH, Jeff spent 18 years in the seed business.
Read his report below and let us know how the crops look in your area. We want to hear from you!
Farmers in the Carolinas are about 98 percent done planting corn, and emergence has started in some places. Soybean planting is progressing; I’d say producers are about 50 percent done so far. Cotton planting is going well. There are a few pockets in North Carolina that already are experiencing drought stress on corn, although the rest of the area has received quite a bit of rain.
Virginia growers are making good progress. I’d estimate that corn planting is about 80 percent complete.
The Case IH Early Riser® planter continues to perform well – delivering population accuracy, delivering placement and uniform, early emergence. Growers are recognizing the benefits of its Agronomic Design and the value of achieving photocopy plants.
Producers also appreciate the new AccuStat seed sensor on the Early Riser 5 series planters, as it gives more detailed information about seed population, such as multiples, doubles and/or skips.
The Precision Disk™ is helping producers get more seed into the ground to increase population and stands and improve emergence.
Vertical tillage is increasing in popularity in my territory. The Case IH Ecolo-Tiger® 870 disks, slices residue, rips the ground and levels the soil – all in one pass. I expect to see even more vertical tillage with the new 335 VT.
Farmers are always looking to get extra yield advantage, so much of the conversation is on new technologies, seed treatments, variety and hybrid selections, what type of fertilizer to use and application timing.
