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Corn roots are the season’s report card

An agronomist with LG Seeds says a season’s report card is in the roots of the corn crop.

Jed Norman, who’s based in north central Iowa, says farmers can identify several issues by digging roots after harvest.

“Kind of evaluating any type of root damage, whether it be some type of insect pressure, disease, or any type of mechanical issues,” he says.

He tells Brownfield producers should note any areas in the field that look suspect.

“Yeah, be looking at that yield monitor and hopping out of the cab.”  He says, “If a guy does it right, don’t put a lot of faith in just one root dig, maybe pick out a few parts of the field. Your best part of the field, you know, a part of the field that’s lower performing, and you know, somewhere right there in the middle.”

Norman says diagnosing potential below ground issues after harvest gives farmers a chance to make management adjustments heading into next year.

AUDIO: Jed Norman – LG Seeds agronomist