Corn Planter Fertilizer- whoops! Now What?

M Nut · May 4, 2012

Began planting corn for my first time and I was concentrating on seed depth,machine operation, etc. I didn't realize for the first acre that the prior owner had put the fertilizer augers in backwards so no fertilizer was being put down with the corn. After emptying out the hoppers and switching the augers around, all was well! Now I'm wondering if I can go back and broadcast my remaining fertilizer on that acre? Should be better than nothing right? Predicted to have rain showers the next few days so I'm thinking it will wash into the soil quickly.

806man · May 4, 2012

Absolutely. Go ahead and broadcast it a.s.a.p. We have done it both ways. Thousands of acres of corn grown annually with the fertilizer being broadcast. It would be better for it to be worked into the soil but it will still grow good corn. Just my 2 cents worth and your mileage may vary...

rrlund · May 4, 2012

I would just take the chain off or whatever you have to do to keep it from planting any more corn and is just dropping fertilizer,then go back over it putting fertilizer as close to the rows as you can get it.

ss55 · May 4, 2012

Empty seed boxes, or removing the seed boxes are other ways to put down the fertilzer alone.

I agree that starter fertilizer will be most effective next to the row rather than broadcastover. Don't let the fertilizer come in contact with the seed.

Nathan (SD) · May 4, 2012

Here is your chance to see if your fertilizer program is really paying off. Leave that acre alone and check its progress against the other acres as the season progresses.

David G · May 4, 2012

Broadcast before a nice rain, will be fine.

in-too-deep · May 4, 2012

Call it a test plot : )

Anonymous-0 · May 4, 2012

Fertilizer drive chain was too loose and jumped to a lower cog a couple of years ago and rate was cut approx half. Did exactly what you are suggesting and worked fine. Similar problem this year but didn't get any down with the planter and it might emerge before it is dry enough to spread. If the corn is still in the "spike stage" will broadcast, if not will only sidedress N later rather than spread the combination urea/DAP. Be sure and try not to avoid running over the rows. Can be a little tough before it emerges.

Anonymous-0 · May 4, 2012

Edit: Avoid running over the planted rows

Dick L · May 4, 2012

I have had the chain brake running the fertilizer feed and just drove back the same tracks when I had the corn hoppers empty where it was needed.

60 acre hillside · May 4, 2012

If you have a seed corn salesman you do not like borrow one of his signs and put it on the rows.

M Nut · May 4, 2012

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking I'll go the broadcast route and see what happens.

Anonymous-0 · May 4, 2012

I'll go along with ss55. I seen it happen both ways.
The dairy farmer up the road uses liquid fertilizer and will run the just fertilzer where we is going to plant sweet corn and then plants a couple of rows at a time. Just follow your rows and it should be ok.

JMS/.MN · May 5, 2012

Broadcast rate should be higher than in-row rate. Not as available when broadcast. Unless you"re set up with a small broadcast unit, it"s a lot of bother for an acre. I"d just run the planter through again.

Corn Planter Fertilizer- whoops! Now What?

M Nut

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806man

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rrlund

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ss55

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Nathan (SD)

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David G

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in-too-deep

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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Dick L

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60 acre hillside

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M Nut

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Anonymous-0

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JMS/.MN

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