April 22, 2025

What are we seeing?

With the arrival of spring, winter cereals and forage crops are waking up. It is time to assess your fields for survival and determine if it is time for fertilizer application.

What should you be looking for when doing self-assessments?

When assessing winter cereals or forage stands, the main thing to look for is green shoots and white roots. Musty smells in the field can be an indication of losses. Walking the field, checking roots and assessing the number of healthy plants is essential.

What to do if you are unsure about your stand?

In winter cereals, the critical point is 7-10 healthy plants per foot of row. Below this, termination of the stand may need to be considered. Above this, the crop has a very high yield potential, and the next step is to apply fertilizer. If the stand falls in this critical range, there is a lower yield potential, alternatives may need to be considered.

For forage stands, population goals vary depending on the year of the stand. For example, a first-year alfalfa stand should be 15-20 plants per square foot.

What to do next?

If you are unsure or would like assistance assessing your winter cereal or forage stands, please contact your crops representative, they will be able to determine the best course of action for your situation. Contact them today.

Written by Courtney Courville.