Soil compaction from wet-field operations costs more than the missed planting window

Driving equipment on saturated soil creates subsurface compaction that reduces yields 10-15% for 3-5 years. The compacted layer restricts root growth, water infiltration, and aeration. Per Purdue Extension research, waiting 2-3 days for fields to dry costs less in yield loss than compacting the entire field. The ball test: squeeze a handful of soil at plow depth — if it holds shape like clay, it is too wet to traffic.