Sieren said that most farmers will wait until the temperatures are where they should be or even a little bit higher. Planting too early can result in a loss of some yields. So can planting too late.

“There is a window period that is ideal for planting corn and soybeans,” he said.

Bickmeier said the prime time for planting corn is between April 15 and May 10.

The window for soybeans is a little bit later, from May 1 to 20.

Klein said typically he has never started planting before April 15.

“I definitely try and have my corn in by May 10 though,” he said.

The time for planting crops depends on several other factors.

Sieren said the weather is a big influence on not only the temperature but the predictions of what conditions are going to be like for most of the crop season.

“If there is an El Niño, we typically have favorable conditions. But if there is a La Niña, the conditions are usually not as good,” he said.

Klein said with unpredictable weather, the window period could change, but farmers can usually tell what conditions will produce the best results.

“It’s not an exact science, but if most of the conditions are favorable then it is probably a good time to plant, he said.

Farmers have plenty to keep them busy in the meantime, Bickmeier said.

“They need to make sure they have all necessary material purchased, fertilizers, seed and their chemicals ... and that all of their equipment works properly,” he said.

In less than a month, most farmers will be hopping back into their tractors.

Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.