Monday’s USDA ‘Iowa Crops & Weather’ report documents well the serious status of our corn crop.

Based on survey respondents from all counties, the report represents our best state-wide analysis of corn conditions. The figure tells the story. Only 50% of our corn in good to excellent condition compared to the five-year average of 77%. Corn in ‘fair’ condition is nearly double the five-year average and that in the ‘Very Poor’ to ‘Poor’ categories was 15%. That’s three times the average!

Unfortunately, the bad news doesn’t stop there. Eleven percent of the crop was replanted or is to be replanted. That could add up to 1.4 million acres. Eight percent was flooded; that could be one million acres. Needless to say, planting around and in drained pot holes, fields in flood plains, etc. is occurring where possible thanks to clear and dry weather in most parts of the state.

In addition to all of this, corn stands are 85% compared to 94% normal. The cold, wet spring has taken its toll on plant populations.

And…what about corn being knee high? I grew up with the saying that if corn was going to “make it” (mature before the first frost), it should be knee high by the fourth of July. Nobody ever explained whose knee was used as the measure, or whether we should wear our boots, or exactly what is knee height, or …..?

Average corn height according to the USDA report was 16 inches. That compares to 28 inches average. I don’t know how high your knee is, or, for that matter, if you’re wearing your boots or not, but, I really doubt if 16 inches is above your knees. I’d guess too that 28 inches is well above your knee.

With our progressively earlier planting dates, see ICM News, and improved genetics and management, and recent years of good weather, we’re more accustomed to at least ‘nose height’ corn by the 4th of July and often it’s over at least some of our heads. It likely won’t make it this year.

Our corn needs good heat unit accumulation with average precipitation to pull back out of this slow spring.

SOURCE: ISU’s Roger Elmore

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