From Sow To Grow: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Early Planting
Increasing population numbers and climate change are compelling farmers to focus on maximising their production and increasing their yields to meet the growing global food demands. While there are options to aid farmers in these goals, early planting is a method that most farmers consider to produce higher yields. What risks are farmers facing when they take to their fields early? What are the advantages that farmers can reap with early planting? Knowing the benefits and risks of early planting before deciding to do so can help farmers move forward with this decision safely and effectively. Let’s DIG into the pros and cons of earlier planting, why growers around the globe are adopting this technique, and how Farm Xport helps them to plant early easily, predictably, and with less threat to their crops.
Planting early PROS:
The primary reason that farmers are motivated to sow early is the possibility that it may allow earlier flowering. Any crops that flower quickly will experience peak photosynthetic efficiency at the time of the year when the sun is present longest. Another benefit of early planting is that it limits the crops' exposure to heat stresses during the most sensitive phases of their development, allowing the developing plants access to water during a time of year when the soil water reserve is typically greater. Early planting also facilitates higher resistance against damage from parasites in crops. Early planting enables early pollination, allowing these crops to avoid the high temperatures in the summer as well.
Soil preparation should be attended to and maintained at all times. Properly prepared soil promotes aeration and increases oxygen access to plants. Growers must remove crop residues at the end of each winter to speed up the soil heating and create the ideal environment for successful early planting.
Sandier soil types have a higher drainage capacity and are more suitable for early planting since they take less time to warm up and will drain excess water quicker than clay soils. Growers should pay particular attention to the planting depth of the seeds of crops that are planted early. A maximum planting depth of 49.53 mm - 59.436 mm must be maintained to give the seeds the best opportunity to develop and grow.
Planting early CONS:
Growers must also take risks associated with early planting into account to plan a successful and plentiful harvest. The timing of early planting can prove tricky if one does not carefully consider the conditions of the climate. To determine whether early planting will be an effective strategy to increase production, the grower will need to evaluate their environment at the time of sowing and consider the rainfall forecast closely for the week following planting. If overly rainy weather occurs in conjunction with low temperatures immediately after the seeds have been distributed, these wet periods will induce a longer delay in the development of the plant to germination, which significantly and negatively impacts harvest. A delay in germination can lead to potential yield losses of 8% - 10%. Losses during a rainy season can even be considerably higher. If a grower plants full-season hybrids, these crops will utilise the entire growing season, creating added benefits and higher production. But if hybrid crops are exposed to prolonged periods of submersion in water, they may be lost since they only survive for 24-48 hours if immersed in water. Prolonged exposure to rainfall and cold temperatures will create a higher vulnerability to parasite attacks since the cold water may damage the seed’s protective membrane. Even if standing water is not excessive, the lack of oxygen in the soil causes metabolic damage to plants, which increases susceptibility to any stresses. Analysing meteorological data and taking preventive measures during cultivation is the best method to mitigate these risks, but these take time and planning.
Fields utilising proper water management act more predictably and consistently following the drainage installation. They dry out faster, facilitating earlier planting and giving the crops maximum opportunity to grow and produce higher yields. Using a Soil-Max plough to self-install your farm drainage will prove the best tool for reliability from your soil and consistent early planting. Most tile ploughs can only lift the earth 600-900 mm. Soil-Max ploughs provide lifting action to 1500 mm, reducing the side pressure drag on the plough, helping it glide through the ground as it lays 75 mm to 250 mm tile, up to 2125 mm deep. Farm Xport DIY makes it possible for farmers in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South America to quickly, efficiently, and effectively self-install their farm drainage. Properly placed tile installed with a quality plough like Soil-Max only costs the producer one time over the product's life (50-100 years). The same cannot be said for inputs or machinery that require yearly repairs or maintenance. Let us help you plant early and harvest the benefits today.