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Corn-On-Corn In 2008
Agronomy | March 24, 2008

We will definitely have plenty of “corn on corn” in 2008!

There is potential for a 10% yield penalty when corn follows corn (compared to corn following soybeans), but it could be close to 0% ....

Here are my thoughts to maximize your corn on corn yields:

Field choice

  • Highly productive soils are better suited to corn on corn. They leave more residue, though.
  • The less stress on the corn, the higher the yield
  • Yield penalty is highest with no-till and lowest for plowing

Fertilizer

  • Soil test!
  • Use starter fertilizer
  • Add 40-50# more N compared to corn after soybeans
  • Sidedress N early (by 4” tall)

Insects

  • Corn borer risk increases slightly in continuous corn, so consider BT corn
  • Corn rootworm is more of a threat in continuous corn, but they are not much of a problem up here, yet
  • Consider a soil-applied insecticide or CRW hybrid
  • Be sure to follow your BT refuge requirements

Variety

  • Select the highest yielding varieties
  • Good disease resistance, since there will be higher levels of inoculum
  • Good drought tolerance
  • Good emergence and seedling vigor
  • Good stalk strength
  • Rotate corn varieties

Planting

  • Get the crop planted during the optimal planting window
  • Plant other fields first to let the corn on corn ground dry
  • Cool, wet soils will increase sidewall compaction and furrow closing problems
  • Use row cleaners to move residue out of the row
  • Establish a good population of UNIFORM plants
  • Consider increasing plant population by 2,000 to 3,000
  • Scout for problems during the season

Weed control

  • Efficacy of soil-applied herbicides may be decreased, so don’t skimp on the rate
  • Manage volunteer corn
  • Use different modes of action
  • Treat weeds early

Consider a fungicide application at tasseling to combat leaf and stalk diseases.

  • The strobilurin fungicides have shown increased yields due to plant health
  • Don’t apply before tasseling!

Harvest

  • A longer harvest season increases risk of stalk breakage
  • More storage will be required with the higher corn yields
  • How will you handle corn if it is wet?
  • Spread residue evenly at harvest
  • There has been talk about applying some N after harvest as UAN, but I don’t know of any data to confirm this

Source: Dennis Berglund, CENTROL

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