Don’t Wait: Now is the Time to Build Your Spring Small Grains Plan
With an open, warmer-than-normal winter so far, now is the time to start putting your spring wheat and oat plan together. Soil conditions are shaping up early, and this window offers a great opportunity to be ready to plant when the calendar — and conditions — line up.
Small Grains Are Built for Early Planting
Spring small grains like spring wheat, oats, and peas are resilient, cool-season crops designed to handle early-season conditions. Germination shouldn’t be a concern — these crops have strong cold tolerance and perform best when planted early.
Benefits of early-planted small grains include:
Strong, uniform emergence
Improved root development
Better moisture utilization
Reduced heat stress during grain fill
Competitive canopy development
Waiting too long can push small grains into warmer, drier conditions later in the season, which often costs yield potential.
Ideal Timing: Mid-March and On
In our area, the middle of March is an ideal target to have spring wheat, oats, and peas in the ground, and with the soil conditions we’re seeing now, preparation should already be underway.
That means:
Finalizing variety and seed decisions
Lining up seed availability
Reviewing fertility and weed management plans
Getting equipment ready for early-season fieldwork
When planting windows open quickly, the growers who are ready are the ones who capitalize.
Why Planning Early Matters
Early planning helps avoid:
Last-minute seed shortages
Limited variety options
Delayed planting due to logistics
Missed yield opportunities
Spring cool-season crops reward timely decisions. Having your plan in place now allows you to move when conditions are right — not when it’s convenient.
Let’s Get Your Plan Dialed In
Our team is ready to help you:
Select the right spring wheat and oat varieties for your acres
Match seeding rates and fertility to your goals
Coordinate seed availability and delivery
Build a simple, effective early-season game plan
The conditions are setting up — don’t wait. Now is the time to prepare for spring small grain planting so you’re ready to roll when spring arrives.