News

Corn stand concerns increasing

Stalk integrity becomes a bigger issue when the corn harvest is drawn out.

University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says standability is always a concern where compaction occurred.

“Poor root growth (and) some genetics that might be involved (could also compromise stands). There was some lodging in some of those stressed areas more so than in other areas. But certainly with wet conditions and if it continues, (stalk integrity) will be an issue.”

He tells Brownfield green snap from high wind events earlier in the season also weaken corn stands.

“I guess my concern over the years has been when you get into the month of November and those stalks have pretty well been depleted, moving those nutrients to the cob. And we get those high, really cold winds (so) we’ll end up with more lodging as things break down into November.”

The latest crop progress report shows 70 percent of the U.S. corn crop remains unharvested.