Source: AgriGold
Key points
Corn farmers can derive agronomic benefits and consequences from their winter weather.
Don’t alter your crop management plan based solely on weather conditions.
Planting a diverse lineup of genetics helps limit risk regardless of environment.
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| Yield-robbing corn diseases like tar spot can overwinter in crop residue, causing problems in future seasons. |
While a harsh winter may feel unpleasant, it does come with agronomic advantages. “Farmers can gather insights from their weather patterns,” says AgriGold Agronomist Brian Weihmeir. “But we don’t want to rely on the winter weather to make any drastic management decisions.”
Whether they experience warmer or cooler temperatures, farmers should be aware of the pros, cons and potential consequences of their winter weather.
Impacts of frigid temps
From decreased pest pressure to reduced soil compaction, the agronomic benefits of a colder winter are significant.
Reduced soil compaction
Through January, Weihmeir’s territory of central Illinois has seen unusually cold temperatures and little to average snowfall — prime conditions to eliminate soil compaction.
“When we have moisture within the soil profile and it freezes, we get expansion and we loosen up that soil,” Weihmeir says. “Alleviating compaction early in the season allows roots to go deeper in the soil profile, accessing that moisture and setting up our corn and soybean plants for success.”
Less disease and insect presence
Along with reduced compaction, colder winters can also lower disease and insect presence — but don’t assume the pressure is gone.
“You may assume that diseases will break down and not survive the winter, but they are resilient — even to harsh winters or mild winters,” Weihmeir says. Diseases like gray leaf spot, Northern corn leaf blight and tar spot can overwinter and reappear the following season.
Insect pressure works in a similar way. “If we have an unusually long cold stretch, we may see some insect suppression coming into the spring,” Weihmeir says. “But farmers should stick with their typical management strategies for limiting disease or insect risk.” Strategies could include seed selection, crop rotation and residue management.
Delayed planting
The biggest risk with colder winters is delayed planting, as lower temperatures slow the soil from drying out. “When we have later cold spells that stretch into early spring, people start farming by the calendar rather than farming by soil conditions,” Weihmeir says. “We don’t want the sins from planting in the wetter conditions.”
Warm winter effects on corn
What about farmers experiencing a warmer winter? Weihmeir says there are benefits for them too. The primary advantage is residue breakdown.
Residue breakdown
“More farmers are utilizing traits and fungicides on productive ground, creating more residue that needs to be managed,” he says. “We see more microbial activity in warmer temperatures to break down residue, which helps with residue management.” However, the drawbacks of warmer winters are notable.
Increased pest pressure
“Winter annuals can overwinter, take off in early spring and create a mat in our fields that prevents the soil from drying out, which delays planting dates,” Weihmeir warns. “If we have an abnormally warm winter, consider a spring burndown and prioritizing fields with excessive vegetative growth of winter annuals.”
Increased weed pressure can also create a habitat for pests like cutworms and armyworms to thrive. “Even after a burndown, farmers need to monitor and scout for insects because they can still have higher pressure in those environments,” Weihmeir says.
Corn seed solutions for every scenario
While they can’t control the weather, farmers can plant a diverse lineup of genetics to spread their risk. “When you mix your tried-and-true corn seed solutions with newer products and focus on ones with good disease tolerance, you’re helping mitigate risk across your entire farming operation and upping your odds of success,” he says. “A diverse lineup of genetics is incredibly important moving into the next cropping season.”
With planting season approaching, Weihmeir says there’s still time for farmers to connect with agronomists and review their 2025 plans. “We want to help farmers align their seed decisions with their farm’s management practices to make sure they have the most success in 2025.”
For season-long support across your acres, reach out to your local AgriGold agronomist.
