Planting might be over, but now’s not the time to coast. Reflecting on this season can give you the edge you need for better yield and fewer headaches in 2026.
Let’s be honest, planting season is one of the most stressful times of the year. We fight the weather, manage breakdowns, and try to cover every acre in a tight window. But now that most of the seeds are in and the dust has settled for 2025, it’s time to shift gears. Before we get too far into the season, there’s a small window to reflect on what worked, what didn’t and what we can fine-tune for next year. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional.
Here are six questions I always ask after the planter’s parked — and why they matter.
1. How quickly did seedlings emerge?
If emergence lagged, that’s your first clue something needs tweaking. Each 12-hour delay in emergence can drop yield potential by more than 30%. Whether the culprit was cold soil, crusting or moisture imbalance, now’s the time to diagnose and document it.
2. Was emergence uniform across the field?
Non-uniform stands might look harmless early on, but they quietly rob you of sunlight efficiency and yield. According to Iowa State University, uneven emergence can dock yields by up to 23%. Keep watching through tasseling and flowering. Patterns will start to tell a story.
3. Did seedlings show signs of strong plant vigor?
Plant vigor is a great early read on how the season might go. Everything from seed selection to nutrient management to the seed treatment you use can have great influence it. Healthy, early-emerging plants stand a better chance against whatever the season throws at them — drought, disease or pests.
4. Were early season pests or pathogens an issue?
If you were chasing down nematodes or dealing with root rots like fusarium or pythium, it’s worth considering an upgrade to your seed treatment program. I’ve seen chitosan-based treatments make a measurable difference, not just in control, but in how they amplify existing modes of action.
5. Did soil temperatures impact planting?
Cool soils can delay planting and stunt early growth. Post-harvest residue management, especially strategies that boost soil biology, can warm soils faster and get you in the field up to three days earlier next season. That’s worth an extra $14 to $41 per acre. Small moves. Big wins.
6. Was last year’s residue a problem?
If leftover corn or wheat stubble gave you emergence headaches, don’t wait until fall to think about it. High carbon-to-nitrogen ratios tie up nutrients, making life harder for your new crop. Building a residue management plan now can unlock those trapped resources and boost soil health ahead of 2026.
The end of planting season isn’t the end of planning — it’s just the start of smarter decisions. You’ve got the data. You’ve walked the fields. Now’s the time to build a game plan that puts you in a stronger position next year. Every season leaves us clues. The growers who take the time to read them? They’re the ones who stay ahead.
