While soil moisture is certainly welcome, late rainfall is only going to delay fieldwork.
Even though farmers and custom operators are on a tight schedule for harvesting, tilling or spreading manure, Extension Conservation Specialist Kevin Erb recommends waiting until the fields dry before bringing in your equipment.
The dry time is going to depend on rainfall amount, soil type and previous moisture. If you get in the field too early, you run into the risk of soil compaction.
“We’re very concerned about compaction because that heavier equipment compresses the soil, doesn’t let air in, makes it harder for roots to grow, and that can impact yields on corn, soybeans and alfalfa from anywhere from a few year so 25 years or more.”
He does offer some advice on how to avoid compaction if you HAVE to get the fieldwork done as soon as the rain stops.
“Looking at things like not driving the entire field, trying to drive in those same areas (controlled traffic), and making sure our tire pressure is where it should be, are really three good steps to minimize the problem.”