Fair Weather Attributed To Early Corn Planting

By Joe Curtis

Corn planting is wrapping up earlier than normal in Concordia Parish thanks to recent dry weather, according to Kylie Miller, LSU Extension agent.

“Weather has been really good for planting,” Miller said. “Everybody has been able to get back in the fields and start planting.”

Last August rains dumped 15 to 20 inches, causing delays in the grain harvest. Due to the delayed harvest, soybean and milo crops sprouted or rotted in the fields.

The rains did not affect the corn crop due to it being harvested earlier.

In a U.S. Department of Agriculture Outlook Forum, Matt Foster, LSU AgCenter state specialist for cotton, corn and grain sorghum, said he expected cotton acres to be down 20 percent this year over 2022.

Foster acknowledged adverse weather conditions near harvest time caused a decline in 2022 cotton yields.

“Cotton acres have been erratic in Louisiana over the past 10 years, mainly due to higher demand for grain production,” Foster said. “Farmers have seen an increase in grain yield potential as well as higher and consistent prices. Also, grain crops require less intensive management compared to cotton.”