By Dr. Nick Shay (UGA Extension Grains Agronomist), Dr. Scott Monfort (UGA Extension Peanut Agronomist), Dr. Camp Hand (UGA Extension Cotton Agronomist), Nick Gladden (ABAC Precision Ag Specialist) and Dr. Wesley Porter
As is typical, we deal with some sort of challenge every production season. It seems, at least at this current moment, our biggest challenge is the extremely dry conditions that we are experiencing. Thus, I wanted to provide some material and suggestions specifically from our Agronomists on this topic.
Before we get to their recommendations I wanted to share some data to bring everything into perspective. The drought status map shows where all of Georgia was at as of April 16, 2026.
From the perspective of rainfall, I went to the UGA Weather Station site for Tifton and pulled data from January 1 to April 15, 2026, to see how we compare to the past seasons. As seen in this table, this year (until April 15) we have only received 8.8 inches of rain. While on average, we are around 15 inches of rainfall in the same period. So, we are at about 50% of normal rainfall.
| From January-1 | To April-15 | Precipitation [in] | Number of Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 | 8.81 | 29 |
| 2025 | 2025 | 12 | 37 |
| 2024 | 2024 | 18.32 | 35 |
| 2023 | 2023 | 14.39 | 45 |
| 1981 | 2010 | 15.92 | N/A |
| 1971 | 2010 | 16.5 | N/A |
| 1961 | 1990 | 16.06 | N/A |
The average annual rainfall in Georgia is approximately 50 inches. So I pulled data from April 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026, and the three preceding years. We are about 15 inches of rainfall short of an average year. There are many ways we could look at these datasets, but I would say that these three sets of information do the job of capturing the situation we are in when compared to the past.
| From April-15 | To April-15 | Precipitation [in] | Number of Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026 | 34.96 | 125 |
| 2024 | 2025 | 49.78 | 117 |
| 2023 | 2024 | 53.8 | 128 |
| 2022 | 2023 | 42.11 | 136 |
Additionally, at one of our research sites (Home – 4D Farm), we have soil water tension (SWT) and soil temperature sensors installed both in strip-tilled corn and at the weather station which is located in a grass field. I am going to specifically focus on the soil temperature sensors which are installed 4 inches below the soil surface. The first sensor graph below is installed at the weather station under grass. As the graphs shows, there is about a 10 degree swing from the night time temperature to the day time temperature (about 63 to 73 degrees most recently).
However, when you look at the temperature sensor installed into the strip till corn row, we are observing about a 20 degree temperature difference (70 to 90 degrees). To me there is a lot that can be learned here. I think the first observation that I would make is that covered soil is staying more buffered from extreme temperature swings. We knew this already, but for it to be mid-April and us recording 90 degree 4” soil temperatures is worrisome to me. The temperature swings are also more drastic in the cultivated soil currently because we are in a dry condition. This field is irrigated and based on the sensor readings we do not need irrigation as of now.
Thus, based on these data my assumption is that dryland fields or fields that have been recently tilled and have not had irrigation applied will have high(er) temperature swings and higher overall temperatures too. While I know we have a cool front that moved in on Sunday, we are predicted to be back to the upper 80’s by the end of the week. This leads me into the agronomic perspective of our crops and planting. Without irrigation, I would be very worried to let many seeds sit in dry 90 degree soils.
This brings us to our agronomic recommendations:
Corn & Soybean Planting Considerations from Dr. Nick Shay
With little to no rain in the forecast until the end of April, I am still receiving calls from growers considering “dusting in” their remaining acres. There’s no question that dry conditions will elevate the risks associated with continuing to plant field corn and soybeans.
While this approach is inherently risky, both corn and soybeans can tolerate dry soils for a period of time. However, several factors can significantly reduce germination and successful emergence. First, if soil moisture is below roughly 30–50% of the seed’s weight, germination will not initiate. In this state, seed can remain viable for several weeks, but elevated soil temperatures may reduce overall seed vigor over time. Planting depth becomes vitally important and trying to catch a light rain in the top inch of the soil would not be advised for seeds that would otherwise be exposed to extreme temperature swings. Second, if there is enough moisture to initiate germination—often described as moisture “two knuckles deep”—but conditions turn dry shortly after, seedlings may only survive for about a week before death. As concerning is the hot soil temperatures the small plants will be growing into.
Third, hot and dry soil conditions can increase pressure from soil-dwelling pests, which may damage or destroy seed and young seedlings. Fourth, surface-applied or pop-up nitrogen is at greater risk of volatilization under these conditions. Finally, pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides may either break down before crop emergence or fail to properly activate due to insufficient moisture, reducing their overall effectiveness. I understand that some still may have to move forward with planting. I hope that this helps to guide their decisions and understand these risks. My recommendations would be to wait until our next rain or transition to cotton or peanut. Data from this past year has indicated that as long as we plant before April 28th, we can still sustain adequate yields.
Peanut Planting Considerations from Dr. Scott Monfort
It has been hot and dry for the last several weeks. Growers need to be mindful of the moisture in the fields being planted. For the non-irrigated fields, the soil profile is DRY!!! The rain we received a week or so ago will not be enough to germinate the seed and allow them to emerge consistently. The seed is too expensive to put in dry soil and hope for rain. Keep the seed in the bag and wait for better conditions. In irrigated fields, it would be good to ensure the soil profile is well-moistened prior to planting. Try not to plant in dry, hot soil and irrigate after planting. This could shock the seed and cause uneven emergence. It is always better to irrigate before and after planting when temperatures are high and dry, as they are currently.
Cotton Planting Considerations from Dr. Camp Hand
Thankfully for cotton, we are still early in the planting window. Normally we are getting started in mid-April, but I did get some reports during the first week of April of some cotton going in following a rain just so dryland guys could take advantage of moisture. I had a similar idea and planted about 7 acres of dryland on 4/10. In that situation, we deepened up significantly so the seed was below moisture, and as of the Monday after planting we were looking good, but still had some time to go.
All of this to say is yes, we can deepen up to avoid hot conditions, or put seed in moisture if there is any, or consider planting larger seeded varieties, but we are still early in the planting window for cotton and it is not time to push the panic button yet!!! Right now, the most critical piece to getting a stand in my mind is watering an irrigated field before you start planting, to ensure you put the seed in good, clean moisture. Then follow up with additional irrigation within a few days of planting. For dryland, have your finger on the trigger and be ready to go when the opportunity presents itself – or in other words “be sitting on go” when we catch a rain.