Flip the Switch on Weather Extremes: Prepare Crops Before Stress Arrives

The best time to buy a generator is before the power goes out. And when it comes to farming, the best time to prepare for weather extremes is before the seed goes in the ground.

We may hope that weather extremes are rare occurrences, but in reality, weather stress of some type can be expected every year. Planning now will help your crop thrive during stress events and survive the extremes.

Last season, for example, the Western Corn Belt experienced wide swings in weather, from early-season temperature fluctuations that slowed root development to uneven rainfall that created drought stress and limited nutrient uptake. We saw mid- to late-season heat accelerate moisture loss and increase crop demand, while severe storms caused physical damage and reduced field uniformity. These conditions contributed to one of the most aggressive Southern rust outbreaks in more than 20 years, along with delayed pollen shed, poor kernel set, and extended silk emergence. These challenges highlight how weather variability doesn’t just impact yield potential; it also shapes how effectively crops can access and utilize nutrients throughout the season.

Resilience Starts in the Soil

Growing a crop can feel like a battle as we struggle against heat, cold, pests, too much rain and too little moisture.

But instead of trying to work against Mother Nature, it’s better to work with her. We can do that by objectively evaluating the growing environment, then setting yield goals based on real-world opportunities.

For a resilient crop, start with the soil. Plants respond to healthy soil and healthy soils respond to healthy plants. A soil test provides valuable information to understand the growing media and drive management decisions.

Healthy soil is balanced soil where minerals are available for plants to use. Take a close look at soil pH and cation exchange capacity, and keep in mind that using muriate of potash (MOP) as the main potassium source also adds chloride — about 45 lbs. of chloride for every 100 lbs. of MOP applied — which can contribute to unhealthy chloride levels over time.

ICL’s Polysulphate® is a versatile, low salt product that helps balance the soil because it provides plant‑available sulfate-based nutrients, including sulfur, potassium, magnesium and calcium without adding much chloride. Its soluble calcium also improves soil aggregation, helping the soil hold water more effectively and supporting better crop performance, even under drought conditions.

Soil structure is also the key to success. Tillage methods and compaction determine how fields can handle excessive rainfall or how plants can withstand drought. In some regions, soil needs tile drainage, while other areas need irrigation. Those systems require extra consideration to protect soil structure and fertility.

Staying Strong All Season

Once soil health is established, season-long nutrition helps crops grow and adapt as conditions change.

Starter fertilizer and early season nutrition are critical to get young plants off to a strong start, but fertility products can do so much more than that. They can be a useful tool throughout the growing season – and especially during stress periods.

Biostimulant and enhanced nutrient products provide an excellent opportunity to work with Mother Nature. For example, when BIOZ® Diamond is applied in-furrow, it helps stimulate microbial activity around young seedlings. BIOZ® Jet is a biochar product that stimulates early root and seedling growth to enable plants to better absorb moisture and nutrients. And CHALLENGE has seaweed and humic acids, to boost root growth and establish young plants.

The plants most susceptible to stress are those that are weaker and don’t have adequate nutrition. There’s no magic bullet for crop nutrition and we’re learning more about how to layer materials, so they build upon one another and deliver nutrition throughout the growing season.

Effective fertility plans extend beyond feeding this year’s crop and look to the long term. Through crop rotation and cover crops, we can stimulate nutrient cycling to work with nature to nurture healthier plants.

Fueling Crops Through Stress

When stress arrives – and it will – it’s important for growers to get into the field and see first-hand how the crop is performing. This opens a window to make management decisions in time to intervene and potentially reduce losses.

These targeted nutrition tools can help growers respond quickly and effectively.

• Irrigation. Fertigation is a proven technique, but irrigation water often has high pH levels that limit effectiveness. Nova PeKacid® lowers the pH, improving water efficiency. In center pivot systems, it enhances water to make nutrients more available to plants.
• Micronutrients. Weather extremes have a way of revealing inadequate availability of micronutrients. The good news is that applying these minerals and even combining them with a crop protection pass, has been proven to improve plant health and increase overall yield. Zinc, boron, manganese and molybdenum have all been shown to help mitigate stress.
• Multi-Nutrient Fertilizer. Polysulphate® is a flexible, functional fertilizer that delivers four essential nutrients – sulfur, potassium, calcium and magnesium – with season-long release to provide nutrients when plants need it.
• Foliar Fertilizer. Foliar application is a great addition to a fertility program, especially when the root system isn’t functioning optimally, such as in cold soils, high weed competition or nematode infestation. Foliar-applied Nova PULSE® and Nova FLOW® can deliver an extra boost toward the end of the season when the crop is stressed or if nutrient gaps are detected.

We buy generators because we know power outages happen. While weather stress is inevitable, yield loss doesn’t have to be. By investing in soil health, building a season-long nutrition plan and layering tools that support crops, you can create your own form of backup power and see strong yields even when conditions turn extreme.