In the last few days I have been seeing and hearing of more corn yields that are 130-160bu/acre or less.
In some instances the frost that we received on September 13th, impacted yields far greater than I anticipated. As has been stated in previous Agronomy Updates or weekly Agronomy Notes the frost damage from September 13th was topographical, affecting lower elevations more than higher elevation in the field. The photos below show the less affected frost damage corn being lighter in color than the darker more affected plants.
The frost affected plants coupled with the increased instance of crown and stalk rots has pushed many corn plants regardless of genetics, traits or company to start to lodge. Many hybrids that normally are great standing hybrids are having issues with lodging this fall.
Another issue that causes lodging, or increase the likelihood of lodging, are nutrient deficiencies. These nutrient deficiencies are caused by nutrient movement out of the rooting zone, from excess water in the case of Nitrogen (N) and Sulfur (S). Or a poor rooted plant due to sidewall compaction that cannot adequately access Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) or other less mobile nutrients.
The concern is that the calendar will soon be November and the likelihood of getting wet weather and high winds increase exponentially which will increase the lodging potential. The take home message from this is, where it is safely possible we need to step up our harvest pace and get the 2014 crop into the bin.
