Best Management Practices for Corn Production in South Dakota: Corn Planting Guide

Obtaining maximum profit from a corn crop depends on the timely planting of an appropriate hybrid, at the proper depth, with a planter that evenly spaces the seed. The success of a corn crop is dependent on equipment maintenance, seedbed preparation, the development of a sound fertility and pest management program, and planting the seed. Early planting is best, but temperatures should be warm enough to assure quick germination and emergence, and late enough to avoid hard frosts. Planting-opportunity windows can be narrow due to spring rains or a late warm-up. Time spent in the off-season maintaining equipment and planning tentative season-long schedules can increase planting efficiency. This section discusses planter maintenance, planting date, replanting considerations, seeding rate, and planting depth.