Need Advice From Experienced Farmers

[Rick Kaufmann]

I'm in south central PA and have 8 acres of bottom ground already prepped for a clover/rape/winter wheat seeding. The ground has been moldboard plowed, disced, dragged, and cultipacked, with the lime and starter fertilizer put on 1 1/2 weeks ago. Last night we had 2 heavy thunderstorms pass through leaving the field quite wet. The rain was so heavy most of the ridges and valleys left by the packer are no longer visible. With additional showers and storms predicted practically every day for the next week it is doubtfull that conditions will improve any time soon. What would be the best course of action at this point? Should I just get the seed on as soon as I can operate in the field without tearing it up (seed will be broadcast with a Herd seeder on a JD 530, not drilled)and then cultipack again, or will I need to disc and pack again before seeding, when and if it gets dry enough? I probably have until Nov. 1 or there-abouts before a hard frost. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Rick

 

[Gene Dotson]

Rick;

Be patient. Wait till it dries adequately and work it lightly again. There is still plenty time to get it done right... Gene

 

[Vally Farm]

I brodcast seed my grains every year, for the last 20 years or so. I've never cultipacked prior to seeding. Wait for things to dry ot well. The worst thing you can do is get into a field that is too wet. Iwould just deep harrow (around 4-6 in.) then seed, light harrow, then cultipack. By light harrowing after seeding you will get much better soil contact with the seed, and keep it away from the birds untill it germinates. I'm in upstate NY, and here we've got till end of Sept for oats/wheat, and almost the end of Oct for rye. I'd gess you should have at least a week or two longer down there. Mike

 

[rrlund]

You're south of me here in Mid Michigan. The best wheat I ever had was planted the 20th of October. Just wait,then run over it with a spring tooth drag and procede as you were going to.Don't know how you guys do it in Pa,but here in Mi,it's still too early for wheat anyway.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You need to check with your county extension people and find out when the (hessian)fly free date is for your area. It is late sept. in upstate NY and probably later down where you are. Be patient, mudding in the crops doesn't pay and it sounds like you should wait anyway.

 

[Rick Kaufmann]

Thanks to all for your advice. You have confirmed my gut feeling that I should wait as well. We really need the rain here as it's been dry as bone all summer. It's just frustrating that as soon as I got in the dirt, it got wet. Checked with Penn State Ag. The Hessian Fly free date is Oct. 1 here in Perry Co. It looks like I might get a break in the weather next week. May have to take a couple of days off then to get r done.
Rick