Corn is a major staple in the human diet. Corn can be found in many different forms, including cornmeal, cornflour, popcorn, and even corn syrup. It’s easy to see why it’s so popular with people! But before you go out and start your own farm for this favorite crop of ours, there are some things you need to consider first. That way you don’t end up making mistakes that could cost you lots of time and money. Here are three important considerations when starting up a new farm.
Consider What Tools You’re Going To Need
There are many tools you need to consider for running a successful corn farm. For instance, if the soil is unworked and unplowed, you’ll want to invest in some heavy machinery like tractors or plows. Then there are things like shovels and rakes which help till up the soil for planting. A tiller is also a very useful investment to have. Are you wondering what is corn yield per acre? If so, then consider investing in a corn yield calculator if you don’t already have one.
These are just a few of the things you need to be prepared for when it comes to starting a farm.
What Are Your Growing Conditions?
Choosing the right location is essential when choosing where to start up your new farm. It is vital to consider the sunlight levels and which type of soil you have. Besides this, it’s also important to think about where water is going to come from for your crops. If the water is going to be coming from a well, then you’ll want to make sure it has a clean and plentiful supply. Running out of water is the last thing you want to do when farming!
The conditions have a great effect on your overall success as a farmer, so try to choose a spot that will give you a good growing yield that’s easy for you to work with.
Utilize Fertilizers
You may have heard of people using fertilizers to help their plants grow, but did you know that different fertilizers are used for different types of corn crops? For instance, if you are using sweet corn, then you need to use fertilizers with high levels of potassium. This will help your corn get that delicious golden color.
On the other hand, if you are growing dent corn, then you’ll want to use fertilizers with high amounts of nitrogen. Nitrogen will help make sure your plants produce plenty of ears while keeping their quality and size. It’s easy to think you can get away without using fertilizers, but this is a crucial mistake that could cost you lots of time and money both.
Using the right type of fertilizer will help your corn yield better results which leads to more profit in the long run.
Buy Quality Seeds
Make sure to buy high-quality seeds and seedlings before planting your first crop. Remember, this is the very beginning of what will hopefully be a long line of corn crops for you if the farm proves to be a success! High-quality seeds are characterized by being uniform in size, being a specific shade of green or yellow, and smooth in texture. The seedlings should have a rich color that’s uniform all the way to the stem. If you purchase low-quality seeds or seedlings, then you can say goodbye to a good yield.
You should also be aware of the seed size. The smaller seeds will end up yielding more corn, but they’re going to be harder for you to pick. This is something you need to take into consideration before planting your first crop of the season.
Consider Row Spacing And Seeding Rate
Seeding rate and row spacing are two things that you should consider when starting up your new farm. The seeding rate is how many seeds you plant per square foot. Your corn shouldn’t be too close together, but it shouldn’t be too far apart either.
Now, when it comes to row spacing, this is how far apart you plant your seeds. However, keep in mind that certain types of equipment may not be able to plant seeds at a certain distance, so you might need to test this with your equipment before planting.
When You Plant It…
After you plant your seeds, there are more things to keep in mind. These things include how much sunlight your plants get, the depth of their placement, and how often you’ll need to water them. All of this plays a major role in your corn yield, so make sure to pay attention to it as you go along.
When Should Your Harvest It?
When is the right time to harvest? This is yet another question you have to ask yourself. For many vegetables, it’s best to wait until the fall before harvesting your crops. However, corn is one of those vegetables that can be harvested throughout the summer months.
To make sure you get the most yield possible out of your corn crop, you should harvest when about 75% of the silks are dry and brown. If they’re not dry and brown by this point, then it means your corn needs more time. You should also make sure to pick off the ears of the corn one by one, you don’t want to grab a handful of them and yank because that could damage the plant, which will reduce your yield later on.
Corn farms are a serious business because there are so many different things to consider such as fertilizers, quality of seeds to use, where and how far apart to plant them. Besides this, you also need to consider the proper tools and equipment needed and when and how to harvest. After all of this is taken into consideration, corn yields can vary depending on the time, location, and weather conditions it was grown in. All these things help you get the best yield possible which will, in turn, be more profitable for your farm! Just remember that with the right knowledge and equipment it can be done. We hope this article was helpful.
