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Malta, Illinois | That is a tricky question and one that is dependent on many factors. One of the big factors is soil type and subsoil water holding capacity. Sandy ground isn't going to last real long and some of the darker and heavier soils could last a long time. I would say the biggest factor for heavier soils is temperatures. With normal or moderate heat crops can last a long time without a lot of water if they start with a pretty full subsoil profile and a decent root system. Throw in excessive heat for an extend period and shallow roots it gets a little trickier. If crops are in an extended dry period they should root down to moisture depending on any sins committed in the name of getting the crop in the ground. Theoretically, really good soils with a full subsoil moisture profile could last well into July without much rain and still do really well. That is in a perfect world and life is almost never perfect. Some areas with sandy soil could be very wet now and crying hard for a rain in a month. Once again, it depends on temperatures. Moisture stress is one thing but throw heat stress on top of it and things can deteriorate quickly. | |
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How far into summer does the spring rain take your farm?
