Some estimates show that about 85 million acres of corn could be planted in 2007. That’s up from about 79 million acres in 2006, and it reflects the assumption that many growers will plant more corn after corn in the Midwest.

With corn futures recently edging above $4 per bushel, there’s an excellent opportunity for growers to be more profitable raising corn after corn, even though it takes more effort to maintain high yields.

Here are just a few things you’ll need to consider as you strive to help growers be as profitable as possible managing corn-on-corn acres:

It’s generally recommended that nitrogen (N) rates for corn-on-corn be increased by up to 50 lbs./A over corn-on-soybean acres. Help your growers be as efficient as possible with N by taking all available credits. The University of Nebraska provides fertilizer suggestions for corn. While using agronomically accepted rates of N, adding a nitrification inhibitor ensures that you protect that N from leaching and denitrification losses so that N is available to corn when it needs it. Stabilizing your nitrogen investment protects yield potential and promotes responsible stewardship of the environment.

The likelihood of corn rootworm damage increases with corn-on-corn acres. Recommend that your growers use an in-plant trait or a soil insecticide.

Diseases like gray leaf spot (GLS) also are more prevalent in corn-on-corn acres, especially in the eastern Corn Belt and where reduced tillage is practiced. To manage this disease, it’s important for growers to select hybrids offering improved tolerance to GLS. Yields can drop significantly, depending on the level of disease pressure. Growers should consider using a fungicide to control this disease. The Ohio State University provides a fact sheet regarding the management of GLS.

Growers are viewing today’s changing corn market as an opportunity to maximize their revenue per acre. You’ve got the opportunity to show your value to your customers by providing solutions for some of the challenges that come with raising corn-on-corn and helping them avoid pitfalls by managing those acres properly.

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