Corn clock is ticking: Just days before insurance cut-off
By DAVY MOSELEY | Country World East Texas
April 12, 2001 -- It's decision time for Texas corn growers that have not yet been able to plant because of wet conditions in fields.
The clock is ticking for corn growers. Every day past April 1 the seeds are not in the ground equals dramatically lower yield potential at harvest, said Cloyce Coffman, professor and Extension agronomist. To compound the problem, the cut-off date for corn farmers to file for crop insurance is just days away - April 15 for many areas of Texas.
Coffman said the problem is not state-wide, but is a grave concern for many areas in Texas.
"It's becoming serious now for corn farmers. They are asking themselves, 'What do I do? Should I try and plant corn, should I plant milo or cotton?'"
Even if growers decide to plant grain sorghum, the cut-off date for obtaining insurance on the crop is only 15 days later than corn.
Coffman explained farmers need to look at their yield history when considering other field crops. If grain sorghum, for example, does not normally produce well then they may want to wait and plant cotton. But switching crops may not make the producer any more money than the late corn. It all depends on the individual farmer's situation, according to Coffman.
If growers file for crop insurance, they cannot plant any program crops on their acreage. It is a gamble for growers either way they decide to go, the agronomist added.
Mark Morris, location manager with Agro Distributions in the Hillsboro-Waco-Palmer area, estimated only 10 to 15 percent of the corn growers in his area have been able to plant as of April 6. Jason Dekert, sales representative for Agro Distributions in Waxahachie, reported similar numbers for growers in his area.
"If we don't get any rain this weekend (April 7-8), the situation could change and corn growers will be able to plant. The situation isn't going to get worse at this point," Morris said.
Coffman explained some areas of Texas are further behind than others. From the Upper Coast, over to Austin and up to the Red River is having the most trouble. Also, Central Texas north to Waxahachie is also far behind what normally should be planted this time of year.
