Wet start to March impacts field conditions

WADESVILLE, Ind. — After a wet start to March, Indiana fields are soaked.

Hans Schmitz, technical assistance specialist at Indiana Ag Nutrient Alliance, shared how this impacts field conditions.

“Hopefully, your fields have been primed by good management to soak rainfall through the soil profile and recharge what have been very dry conditions,” he said.

“Take a look and watch for ponding where you might not usually see water, as compaction shows itself where wheel tracks may have been in areas that have not seen this type of rainfall since the fall.”

Water soluble nutrients may leave some areas this week, and gully erosion is possible, Schmitz said.

“Keep an eye out for changes in fields and mark those spots for increased cover crop or buffer strip possibilities in the future,” he said.

In other soil health and water management news, Indiana Ag Nutrient Alliance has updated its website with resources for farmers. Check it out at inagnutrients.org.