By Blake Jackson
Flooding can significantly impact crop yield and quality, particularly in soybeans and corn. While plant death is less likely if the soil drains quickly, lodging, crop quality issues, and contamination can pose serious threats.
For corn:
- Silage: Prioritize fields with minimal damage and avoid chopping corn with excessive dirt or silt. Ensure proper fermentation to reduce pathogen growth.
- Grain: Harvest promptly to minimize soil contamination and monitor grain quality for potential issues like sprouting and molds.
For soybeans:
- Monitor quality: Assess grain quality before harvest and store soybeans from flooded areas separately.
- Adjust harvesting: Be prepared for increased losses and machinery problems due to lodging and debris.
For hay and pasture crops:
- Avoid contaminated forage: Avoid grazing or harvesting crops with excessive silt or organic matter.
- Mow and regrow: Consider mowing flooded pastures and allowing them to regrow before grazing.
General recommendations:
- Document damage: Take photos and report losses to your crop insurance adjuster and local FSA office.
- Test crops: For feed crops, test for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pathogenic bacteria, and pesticides.
- Prevent contamination: Minimize soil contamination and avoid feeding contaminated crops to animals.
- Monitor animal health: Closely monitor animal health for any signs of issues related to contaminated feed.
By following these guidelines, you can mitigate the negative impacts of flooding on your crops and protect your yield and quality.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Corn, Soybeans