Soil compaction is more than avoiding ruts

Balance timeliness with stewardship.

Posted 4/21/26

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Managing wet spring soils isn’t just about avoiding ruts—it’s about protecting the biological and physical foundation of crop production and yields.

Each spring, farmers look at calendars that say it’s time to plant, but soil conditions say otherwise, says University of Missouri Extension soybean agronomy specialist Andre Reis. Wet conditions delay fieldwork and tighten planting windows.

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