Will early wheat translate into more doublecropping?

Warm spring weather has consistently pushed the wheat crop across much of the lower South, and that might influence the final planted acreage in soybeans, cotton and even rice.

Some wheat could come out of the field in the south Delta in the first 7 to 10 days of May, based on several conversations we had this week while gathering info for AgFax: Southern Grain.

A couple of fields were harvested in south Arkansas last year as early as May 18. There's some speculation that a few fields could be ready this year before then - cases where growers planted early maturing varieties on an early schedule last fall. Early-planted fields in Louisiana also could be ready in early May.

In past seasons, it's been questionalble whether doublecrop soybeans pay in the lower Midsouth, even with irrigation. But with higher bean prices, it's likely that more growers may push for a second crop, especially if they can irrigate. Every year, a few people plant rice behind wheat in Arkansas. And the concept of doublecrop cotton is a bit more sound these days with something like DPL 444, which is commonly grown behind wheat in south Georgia.

Not every acre of Midsouth wheat will be a sure candidate for doublecropping this year because a large portion of the crop was planted late and/or later-maturing varieties were used. Rain moved into the region last year on October 15-16 and shut down most planting until a week or so before Thanksgiving.

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