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Regional map highlighting North Dakota, South Dakota, and part of Minnesota

Set yourself up for a successful 2025 growing season with the latest agronomy insights, crop management tips, and more.

Planting Tips

Josh Shofner

Pioneer Field Agronomist

Pioneer Field Agronomist Josh Shofner

Tip #1: Avoid the Unforced Error

Even the best plan requires an audible once planting season begins. Planting sets the stage for many other management decisions as the season progresses. As soon as the planter leaves the field, management, such as corn rootworm and herbicide flexibility, is set for the season. Matching trait technology to management needs is critical at the time of planting. Pause for 5 minutes and review corn rootworm needs for corn acres and weed control needs for corn or soybean acres of each field before making the first pass and avoid the potential of an unforced error.

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Tip #2: Manage Emotion

Is it too early, too cold, or “nobody else is planting, so why should I?” These are discussions and emotions that come up every spring. Utilize local historical data to make these decisions for your operation. Early planting trends towards higher yields for corn and soybeans; however, every planting date has risk. Does early planting have a cold risk? Possibly. Does later planting have a crusting risk? Possibly. Focus on soil conditions first; planting in good conditions shows positive outcomes more times than not; take advantage of those windows and utilize early planting dates when the opportunity presents itself.

Tip #3: Planting Sets Up a Successful Harvest

Planting corn and soybeans shows a positive yield response in data summaries. When asked which to plant first, I often say both if possible. However, planting order of hybrids or varieties based on maturity can also improve harvest yields. Why do my early soybeans always yield the best? They are often the first harvested and harvested at an optimum harvest moisture. Planting soybean varieties from the earliest to the latest can lead to harvesting more acres at optimum moisture levels, thus minimizing harvest loss or loss from extremely dry soybeans. Later soybean varieties also tend to yield better when planted late vs. early varieties planted late. Planting order of corn hybrids to reduce head loss or unmeasured harvest loss can positively impact yields when harvested at optimum moisture windows during harvest.

How Corn Planting Depth & Soil Texture Affect Emergence

Corn Planting Depth & Emergence

Studies across the U.S. have found optimum corn seeding depths to vary from 1 to over 3 inches depending on soil texture, moisture, temperature and seeding date.

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Soybean Seeding Rate Considerations

Manage Soybean Seeding Rates

A dense soybean canopy can help suppress weeds; a benefit that may be more important to consider as herbicide-resistant weeds become more prevalent.

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Corn Planting Depth & Spacing

Which planting depth is best for different soil textures? We went to the field to find out.

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Factors to Consider Before Planting Corn

Management Before Planting Corn

Soil temperature of at least 50º F at 2-inch depth. Ideally a warming trend in the 3-5 day forecast. Germination and root development will not occur below 50º F.

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Planting Date Effect on Soybeans

Compare days to Growing Degree Unit (GDU) accumulation at reproductive stages of soybean growth among different planting dates.

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Staging Corn Growth

Staging Corn Growth

Staging a corn seedling - each leaf stage is defined according to the uppermost leaf whose leaf collar is visible.

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Planting Delays Can Create Weed Challenges

Planting Delays Can Create Weed Challenges

During the spring, cold soil temperatures and rainy weather can prevent farmers from planting in a timely manner. Delayed planting can create unplanned issues in fields. Nick Hedden, Pioneer Field Agronomist, explains how later planted fields can become a breeding ground for weeds like waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and ragweed.

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Planting Delays Can Create Weed Challenges

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During the spring, cold soil temperatures and rainy weather can prevent farmers from planting in a timely manner. Delayed planting can create unplanned issues in fields. Nick Hedden, Pioneer Field Agronomist, explains how later planted fields can become a breeding ground for weeds like waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and ragweed.

Products for the Northern Plains

When every bushel counts, Pioneer® brand products deliver.

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Innovation in Agronomy

You’ve heard about our industry-leading genetics and yield protection traits in the bag. But do you know about the added value you get when choosing to plant Pioneer® brand products? Hear more about the tools and knowledge Pioneer delivers to help growers in the Northern Plains place the right products on the right acres.

More Options to Grow Your Farm

More Options to Grow Your Farm

Take a Program Approach and Save with TruChoice® Offer

We know every acre is unique. With the TruChoice® offer, farmers can fund their account and spend their savings on over 100 Corteva Agriscience™ crop protection products. Products include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, nitrogen stabilizers, and more. Visit your local retailer and discover more savings today.

 

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SureStart®, Sonic®, Aproach® Prima, Intrepid Edge®, Resicore® REV, Viatude™ and Ridgeback® are not registered for sale or use in all states. SureStart and Resicore REV are not available for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk counties in the state of New York. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Enlist One® herbicide is not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist One herbicide is the only 2,4-D product authorized for use in Enlist crops. The information presented here is not an offer for sale. Always read and follow label directions.

Pioneer corn performance data for the Northern Plains region is an average of comparisons from calendar year made in the states of South Dakota, North Dakota and northern Minnesota through March 26, 2024. Comparisons are against all comparisons and competitor brands, unless otherwise stated, and within +/- 3 CRM of the competitive brand.

Pioneer soybean performance data for the Central region is an average of all leading A-Series Enlist E3® soybean varieties comparisons from 2023 made in the states of South Dakota, North Dakota and northern Minnesota through March 26, 2024. Comparisons are against all competitor brands, unless otherwise stated, and within +/- 3 CRM of the competitive brand.

Dakotas-specific performance data: Pioneer corn data is based on an average of 658 comparisons made in 2023 across the states of South Dakota and North Dakota. Comparisons are against all competitor brands, unless otherwise stated, and within +/- 3CRM of the competitive brand. Pioneer soybean data is based on an average of 2023 field trial comparisons (90 comparisons) made in the Dakotas through November 16, 2023. Comparisons are against all competitors, unless otherwise stated, and within a +/- 3 CRM of the competitive brand.

Minnesota-specific performance data: Pioneer corn data is based on an average of comparisons made in 2023 across the state of Minnesota through March 26, 2024. Comparisons are against all competitor brands, unless otherwise stated, and within +/- 3 CRM of the competitive brand.

The foregoing is provided for informational use only. Please contact your Pioneer sales representative for information and suggestions specific to your operation. Product performance is variable and depends on many factors, such as moisture and heat stress, soil type, management practices and environmental stress, as well as disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary. Multi-year and multi-location data are a better predictor of performance. DO NOT USE THIS OR ANY OTHER DATA FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF TRIALS AS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN PRODUCT SELECTION.