State’s corn crop had a historic early start

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Ideal weather made it possible for many Mississippi farmers to plant corn as early as the end of February, likely a record for the state.

“This year, we began planting nearly a month earlier than normal,” said Erick Larson, corn specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “I’ve been the corn specialist for 30 years, and I’ve never seen this much planting progress this early. Consultants and farmers who have been around considerably longer say the same thing.”

Corn is the first row crop planted in the state each year. Planting typically begins in mid- to late-March in Mississippi and is complete by early May. This year, the first corn was planted the last week of February. Most of this super-early corn was planted in south Delta counties.

“Many growers in the south Delta already planted a substantial portion of their intended corn acres,” Larson said.

The 2025 corn crop at 910,000 acres was the second largest since about 1960. This year’s crop is expected to be down from that number.

“Corn planting is expected to subside as slim margins and high expenses suggest soybean acreage will rebound this year in Mississippi,” Larson said. “However, weather during the spring will likely influence planted acreage.”

Larson said warm, dry conditions allowed farmers a rare opportunity to plant very early.

Lea Turner, Extension agent in Sharkey and Issaquena counties, said he has already seen corn about 1.5 inches tall as of the second week of March.

“They really tried to hit their window early in Sharkey and Issaquena,” Turner said. “As soon as it’s clear that the freezes are over and spring is here, if it’s dry enough, farmers try to get in the field. The early birds try to hit it by the second week of March.”

Corn benefits from early planting.

“Early planted corn is normally more productive because it matures when summer weather is generally more favorable, including milder temperatures and more likelihood of rainfall,” Larson said.

Once planted, early corn can have a difficult time with stand establishment because of cool temperatures or saturated soils that can hinder growth and survival. A freeze can injure young corn.

“Freezing temperatures will kill exposed corn vegetation,” Larson said. “Corn injury primarily depends upon how low temperatures get. Corn can normally tolerate leaf desiccation aboveground because its growing point is below the soil surface.

“Warm temperatures after a freeze encourage corn seedlings to resume growth, if their growing point is not damaged,” he said.

Larson said temperatures falling into the mid-20s or persisting for several hours may allow frost to progress below the soil surface and damage corn seedlings, causing mortality and other issues. Farmers this year gambled that such weather is unlikely in more southern areas.

Alex Deason, Delta regional Extension coordinator, estimated more than 10% of the anticipated corn acreage had already been planted in his area by the end of the first week of March.

“Conditions lined up perfectly last week to have a good jump start on it,” Deason said. “Typically speaking, most people who have jumped out this far ahead are not really worried about freezing temperatures. They think they can get the corn along far enough that it won’t be an issue. Hopefully, the rain won’t set in, and we have a big upset.”

Deason said much of the Delta had abnormally dry conditions in late February and early March coupled with temperatures that felt like mid-April. High-speed planters allow growers to get their crop in the ground rapidly. He said it only takes four or five days to get the majority of the crop planted in Sunflower County.

“If Mother Nature cooperates, we’ll have a crop that matures much earlier and avoids much of the high temperatures that cost yield loss during tasseling and silking and the reproduction stages,” Deason said.

The farther north fields are located, the less likely they are to already have been planted.

Kyle Lewis, Extension agriculture agent in Hinds County, said only minimal corn acres are planted in his area, but more acres are planned once the ground dries enough for farm equipment to get back into fields.

“Rain this past weekend and so far this week has delayed planting,” Lewis said. “With planting early, farmers hope to take advantage of maximizing yield potential and avoid midsummer heat and moisture stress during pollination.”

Tim Fondren, Extension agent in Leflore County, estimated less than 10% of the county’s intended corn acreage was planted by March 11.

“One farmer started the last Friday in February and planted about 500 acres,” Fondren said. “Some others planted a few hundred acres around that same time.”

He said the ground was warm and dry and the weather was perfect, but the early date caused some growers to hold off on planting.

“People would have planted more except they were scared of planting it so early,” Fondren said. “Most are waiting until March 15 to start planting corn.”

Corn planting progress should resume when soils dry from recent rain.

Keep up with corn news from MSU experts all throughout the growing season by visiting https://www.mississippi-crops.com.