Dear Clint,
This week, we take a closer look at scouting, weak stalks due to drought conditions, beer can ears, crw testing results and silage harvest issues. |
Weak Stalks from Drought Conditions
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The
drought conditions most likely have weakened corn stalks. Stands will need to
be checked prior to harvest this year.
Corn
plants require water to receive most nutrients from the soil. In drought
conditions, those nutrients cannot be pulled from the soil at high rates.
Corn kernels need nutrients to develop properly. If the roots are unable to
take in nutrients from the soil at adequate rates, then the corn plant will
pull nutrients from the stalks to fill out the kernels.
This
cannibalization of the roots will leave them with poorer structural
integrity. Corn plants are more likely to fall over with heavy winds or heavy
rains. Ear drop from the stalks is more likely as well.
Corn
fields will need to be scouted for stalk integrity. Grab stalks above the ear
and pull them about 10 to 12 inches from center. Let go. If the stalks return
to their normal upright position, then stalk strength is acceptable. If the
stalks fail to return to their normal position, then weak stalks are likely a
problem.
Be
prepared to harvest fields as soon as moisture levels are acceptable. Corn
may need to be harvested wet and dried to 15 or 14% moisture. |
Silage Harvest Notes
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Here are a few recent articles on silage harvest.
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Regional Agronomy Reports
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Here's reports from two of our agronomists on the state of crops in their areas.
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CRW and Beer Can Ear Syndrome
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The University of Illinois released it's early corn rootworm performance data late last week. Here's the link to that data.
Some Ohio producers are seeing Beer Can Ear Syndrome. Click on the link to learn more about this phenomenon. |
