Late Planting Decision Aid Updated

Chris Bruynis, PhD, Assistant Professor & Extension Educator and Barry Ward, Assistant Professor & Program Leader.

As each storm roles through Ohio delaying planting even further, the decision to plant corn, switch to soybeans, or take prevented plant becomes more challenging. A decision aid was created to assist farmers in making this decision. Since last Friday, there has been some additional information incorporated into the program.

Since yield will vary from field to field or farm to farm, the ability to enter an expected harvest yield was added to the program. This will allow farmers to fine tune their decision by allowing them to examine the potential profitability ranging from the highly productive fields/farms to the poorer producing farms and make decisions based on profit potential.

Also there are costs associated with selecting prevented plant insurance payments that should be considered when making the decision. Reports are coming in that there could be a “restocking fee” for returning seed or other inputs that have been ordered. Also there will probably be storage charges for fertilizer and other prepaid but not yet delivered inputs or a buyback discount of some kind. On inputs that will be kept until next year, farmers should charge the increased interest expense associated with their operating loan. The crop insurance premium will still be paid, and there is a place to insert any other miscellaneous costs not already mentioned.

This program is a tool for farmers to be able to input their cost of production under different yield and price scenarios to determine possible returns to each decision. The program also allows for farmers to insert their coverage level and farm APH (actual production history) to compare prevented plant insurance payments to continuing to plant corn or switch to soybeans. There is even a place to enter anticipated planting date so the insurance discount (1% per day after June 5th) is reflected in the decision outcome. Note: this program is provided “as is” without warranties as to performance or merchantability. OSU Extension will not be liable for any damages suffered by the customer as the result of the use of this spreadsheet.

Click here to download Decision Aid

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