05/08/2026
To hoe or not to hoe, how do you know?
We’re seeing the most problems in fields planted around April 23, with some April 21–22 fields also being affected.
Fields most at risk:
• Soybean stubble
• Headlands
• High clay or historically “problem” soils
• Fields worked wet or planted before they fully dried
• Fields planted right before a rain
What to watch for:
Look for crust forming over the row before emergence — early action matters.
If you need to rotary hoe:
✔ Run 8–10 mph
✔ Stay shallow — just crack the crust
✔ Run WITH the rows
Timing is everything. Don’t wait until the field looks like concrete. A quick field check now could save stand loss later.
Bottom line: Walk your vulnerable fields this week. If the crust is winning… hoe.
