Corn harvest is slow to get going this year, with only 5% of the state’s crop reported harvested as of 24 Sep (USDA-NASS, 25 Sep 2006).

The causes of the slow start to harvest are slower than normal maturation of the grain (Fig 1), cool temperatures (slower grain drying), and muddy field conditions due to the continuing pattern of frequent rains. The slow pace of corn harvest coupled with the poor stalk quality in some fields (Nielsen, 2006) reminds us how spoiled we were with generally good harvest conditions of the past two seasons. But, that is not the point of this article.

Pct mature as of 9/24/06
Fig. 1. Percent of Indiana’s corn crop that is rated “mature and safe from frost”, as of 24 Sep 2006. Data source: USDA-NASS.

If rainy weather and soggy field conditions are keeping you from your own harvest, spend some of your down time to walk or re-walk neighborhood on-farm hybrid plots before they are harvested. Many of these trials are still “signed” so that you can identify the seed company and their hybrid numbers. Record notes on hybrid characteristics such as ear height, ear size, completeness of kernel set, husk coverage, standability, and presence or absence of stalk rots.

Obviously, the major objective of hybrid selection by growers should be to identify hybrids with consistent yield performance. The term “consistent performance” refers to a hybrid’s ability to yield well across a range of growing conditions. Identifying consistent hybrid performers requires comparative yield data from a number of locations and, ideally, across several years. Notes you take today from walking on-farm plots may help explain yield differences when you see the yield data later.

Remember that successful corn growers understand the difference between purchasing crop production inputs versus being sold crop production inputs.

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