Spring into success: Soil health pointers for planting season

From getting planters set and applying fertilizers to timing field operations, spring sets the foundation for the entire growing season. In recent years, unpredictable weather has forced farmers to make swift adjustments to early-season management. No matter what conditions you face this year, prioritizing soil health can help improve resilience and optimize crop performance. In this article, our Conservation Agronomists share key strategies to guide your spring decision-making process.

 

Pointer #1: Managing soil moisture through strategic cover crop termination timing

Soil moisture is a primary consideration when deciding when to terminate overwintering cover crops like cereal rye or winter wheat. The right approach depends on a clear gauge of field conditions and local weather forecasts.

• Dry field conditions. If soils are already dry, in non-irrigated regions with less than 25” of annual rainfall or in sandy soils with low water-holding capacity, allowing cover crops to grow too long can deplete soil moisture needed for the cash crop. In these cases, terminating cover crops at least two weeks before planting can help avoid early-season drought stress.
   
• Wet field conditions. If fields are excessively wet, particularly in fine-textured soils like silt loams or clays and poor drainage areas, keeping cover crops growing longer can help absorb excess moisture and improve soil structure for better trafficability. You can consider planting green, a practice where cash crops are planted into a living cover crop, with termination occurring before cash crop emergence. Waiting too long to terminate after planting can result in a thick mat of decomposing biomass, which can create planting difficulty and stunt or prevent emergence of the cash crop. If planting corn green into heavy cover crop residue, consider starter nitrogen fertilizer to mitigate microbial nitrogen tie-up during decomposition

For additional information, refer to:
NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines Zone Version 4 (2019)
Be prepared to terminate your cover crops in 2025 | CargillAg

 

Pointer #2: Pay attention to planting depth

One of the most critical factors in stand establishment is consistent planting depth. Planting too shallow increases the risk of poor root development and seedling death, while planting too deep can delay emergence and stunt yields.

• Check soil moisture first. Soil moisture affects how well the planter closes the furrow and ensures uniform emergence. If soil is too dry, seed furrows may not close properly. If soil is too wet, the planter can create sidewall compaction, restricting root growth.
   
• Calibrate the planter. Soil texture, residue cover, and moisture levels vary across fields. Check and adjust planter settings like downforce pressure and closing wheels when moving between different planting conditions. In dry conditions, consider planting slightly deeper to ensure seeds have adequate moisture.
   
• Monitor seed placement in no-till fields. In reduced or no-tillage fields, high residue can interfere with uniform seed placement. Using row cleaners and proper downforce can help maintain ideal seed-to-soil contact.

 

Pointer #3: To till or not to till: Balancing soil structure and ‘clean’ seedbeds

Tillage decisions in the spring should be based on soil moisture, structure, and long-term soil health goals. While tillage can sometimes improve planting conditions, it is expensive and can negatively impact soil structure, microbial activity, and moisture retention.

• Dry field conditions. Tillage accelerates moisture loss by increasing evaporation. In already dry soils, excessive tillage can reduce seedbed moisture and negatively affect germination. In drought-prone regions, minimizing tillage offers a twofold benefit by helping conserve soil moisture and protect against erosion.
   
• Wet field conditions. While tillage can expedite soil drying and warming in the short term, working wet soils can damage soil structure. Tilling when soils are too wet can create deep compaction layers, commonly called hardpans, that are very difficult to correct. Hardpan layers restrict root growth and water infiltration. On finer textured soils like clay, excessive tillage followed by heavy rain can cause soil crusting, which affects seed emergence and reduces infiltration. Poorly timed tillage often creates cloddy seedbeds, requiring additional passes to break up clumps, driving up fuel costs, labor hours, and further disrupting soil biology.
   
• Pro Tip: Before tilling, assess soil moisture by performing a simple ribbon test in your hand. If the soil holds together in a wet clump rather than crumbling easily, it may be too wet to till. If soil holds together to make a ribbon and doesn’t feel excessively wet, conditions are likely suitable for planting.

With unpredictable spring weather upon us, it’s more important than ever to let soil conditions and weather forecasts guide management decisions during planting. Whether you’re adjusting cover crop termination timing, fine tuning planter setup, or deciding on tillage, prioritizing soil health, moisture conservation, and soil structure preservation will set the stage for a strong growing season. If you have questions, reach out to your local Cargill Conservation Agronomist.