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Uneven fields are problematic for yields

An uneven corn field in Indiana.

A Purdue Extension educator says those uneven fields of corn could mean reduced yields for growers this fall.

Crystal Van Pelt works in northeast Indiana.  She says the lack of uniformity in the corn crop is an issue.  “It’s going to reduce the yield of the crop that you want to produce those extra ears,” she says.  “It’s going to be taking the resources from its neighbor and you might not get the yield from the crop that you would like to see.”

Van Pelt tells Brownfield the continued moisture has made applying fertilizer more challenging for farmers because the corn is getting too tall to side-dress the nitrogen fertilizer.

She says that could also contribute to a reduction in yield this year.  “The nitrogen is basically the powerhouse of the plant,” she says.  “It basically greens up the plant and allows it to grow a lot better and it produces that yield.  And if farmers don’t get that application on right now the corn crop will be lagging.”

With rainfall in the forecast for the next several days, farmers’ delays could continue.

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