The first question I’ve been getting wherever I go has been (How’s planting going everywhere else?) … So here’s what’s been going on in the areas I cover during this very challenging spring.

Southeast Missouri

Simply put; WET! Corn and soybean planting was delayed from the start due to above average rainfall. A majority of the corn got planted however, it was strung out for an extended time period. Soybean planting to date is still a long way from being completed (the first time). To complicate issues, the Mississippi river is rising rapidly. Flood stage at Cape Girardeau is 32’. It is expected to crest Tuesday June 23rd at 44.5’. We are in a wait and see mode for what seed needs that will be required. Several of the soybean growers affected by the flooding have indicated they intend to plant (or replant) up till mid July. Steven Peel (owner of Seed Solutions) and I made our way to three of our corn plots early this week and did our annual hybrid evaluations and comparisons. Hybrids that stood out were (in no particular order) HT-7240, HT-7261, HT-7778 and HT-7741. I also was impressed with the new HT-7004, HT-7007 and HT-7381.

Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, and Northeast Ohio

Simply put; WET! It’s been a challenging spring in this area also. Below normal temperatures and above normal rainfall delayed a majority of the corn planting until the second week of May. Corn planting was also strung out in this area with a percentage of intended corn acres never getting planted. However, I am impressed with the emergence and early development of HT-6007, HT-6930, HT-7037 and HT-7004. Soybeans planting ranges from 100% complete (the first time), to have not started and everything in between. The last three weeks have been exceptionally difficult for any fieldwork due a continuous pattern of rain showers. It literally seems that it rains everyday in this area. This week I witnessed a distinct deterioration of both corn and soybeans in various areas of this district due to the extended anaerobic soil conditions.

Delmarva Peninsula & Eastern Shore

Simply put; WET! The Delmarva Peninsula has been wet also however, when I was out there a couple weeks ago corn planting was wrapping up and soybean planting was gearing up. I evaluated one of the corn research plots in Georgetown, Delaware on Sunday June 6th. That particular plot was at the V4 stage of growth. There are several new hybrids in this particular plot and it is quite uniform. Hybrids that stood out and received my highest emergence and early development scores were HT-7240, HT-7238, HT-7004 and HT-7381. A special “thank you” goes to Jay Baxter for providing me with a tractor and planter.

Down in the areas of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Virginia, and Elizabeth City North Carolina it was an unusually wet April & May. The corn that did get planted in these areas went in late and for the most part has struggled all spring. Isolated areas started planting beans the last week of May, while the first two weeks of June have seen the majority of 1st crop beans planted. GT-476CR2, GT-482CR2S and GT-500CR2S’s have really emerged well and look excellent at this early stage. Wheat harvest started this week and I’m getting excellent reports on GHT-940 and GHT-955. One customer harvested 2400 bushels of GHT-955 off of a 22-acre field. I’m looking forward to harvesting our research plot in Virginia Beach next week, and of course the second soybean season (double-crop).

I want to thank all our customers for purchasing Great Heart Seed! I also want to thank the dealers and distributors that accepted the challenges of the selling season and stayed the course with dedication and the drive to be successful.  Those individuals know who they are and I sincerely appreciate your efforts!

In the next update, I will tell you all about a few truly Great Seedsmanship success stories.

Mark Kinsey, CCA
Regional Update