NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

June 1, 2000

NDSU Agronomist Offers Strategies for Late Planting

Although much of the region saw ideal planting conditions, isolated areas of frost, hail, fall dormant seeding and insect damaged stand reductions mean some producers will be considering whether or not to replant.

It's not too late, says Duane Berglund, an agronomist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "There are a number of late-planted crops that provide good options for producers well into mid-June."

There are some strategies that will increase the success of replanting, Berglund notes. Most importantly, any crop that is planted must be compatible with herbicides that have already been applied to the field. "Ideally, you should look at a crop that is listed on the herbicide label," he says. "At the very least, the crop should tolerate the herbicide relatively well."

Other considerations include fertilizer treatments and field preparation. "In many cases, you can top-dress any necessary nitrogen fertilizer," Berglund says. "If frost has done a good job of killing the existing crop, you may not need any field preparation at all. If volunteers or a portion of the existing crop is still growing or if weeds are becoming a problem, some tillage or chemical burn-down may be necessary."

Although recommendations vary according to summer temperatures and frost dates in various areas of the region, Berglund offers some recommendations for late planting.

• Proso millet and buckwheat. These crops have been long-time alternatives for late planting. Allow 70 to 90 days for them to reach maturity. Seed buckwheat by June 15 or yields will be significantly reduced. Seeding proso millet after June 25, especially in northern areas, is considered risky. Don't forget marketing considerations with these crops. A production contract may be necessary.
• Soybean and dry bean. These crops need 90 to 110 days to mature. Plant early-maturing soybeans before June 15 and dry beans by June 10 to avoid frost damage in the fall.
• Sunflower. This crop can be planted with good success in early to mid-June depending on the location. Allow 90 to 110 days for the crop to reach maturity. Look for early-maturing varieties.
• Flax. Plant this crop by June 25. Although flax can be planted as late as July, yields will be extemely low. Flax matures in 85 to 95 days.

Field peas, lentils, canola, small grains and corn are usually not good choices for late planting, Berglund says. "The heat of summer and fall frost are too much of a risk," he says. Corn for silage may be OK, but a forage sorghum would be a better choice if planting late.

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Source: Duane Berglund (701) 231-8135
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629