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U.S. corn crop maturing ahead of normal, draws yield concerns

The U.S. corn crop is maturing faster than normal and there’s concern yields will be negatively affected.

University of Minnesota Extension corn agronomist Jeff Coulter says the crop is about five to six days ahead of the national average, which isn’t necessarily a detriment to yield potential.

“But, in area where soil moisture is starting to get limited, then we’d definitely want to see less air temperature and maybe a slower rate of crop development.”

He tells Brownfield early maturing corn is more concerning for states like Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa.

Further north, the rapid pace of development could be a positive.

“We can’t really do much about the weather, but being ahead of normal is nice for those who want to get their fieldwork done and things wrapped up in the fall.”

The latest USDA crop report says more than 25 percent of the nation’s corn crop is dented, double the five-year average.

 

Jeff Coulter audio: