Soil Temperatures Spring 2012 + some advice on drilling maize in this wet spring.

The soil temperatures are rising, but so is the rainfall.  We have just emailed MGA members some useful advice about the growing conditions this spring and how to proceed with the drilling.  Members can also find this note in the Agronomy section of the website.  If you are an MGA member & haven't received an email and want the information, please send me your email address and I will put you on our list.

It is well recognised that the earlier maize is drilled, the earlier it will be fit for harvest.  Earlier harvest allows timely entrance of your next crop and reduces the risk of harvest related soil compaction and runoff issues.  Simon Draper, MGA agronomist points out that crops should be drilled if the soil temperature at 9 am each morning is above 8C for at least 5 days in a row.  He adds that soil temperatures should be checked from the last week in March onwards.  We hope that the soil temperature data sent in from members around the country, set out in the table below proves useful.

Daily Soil Temperatures at 9.00am at Drilling Depth