News

It’s a big pollination week in Illinois

Warm temperatures are moving through much of the Corn Belt this week.  Illinois based staff agronomist for Diversified Services Mike Toohill says the heat could be a good thing – depending on where you’re located.  “The big pollination week in Illinois probably started today (Tuesday) and will go through July 25^th,” he says.  “The corn that is not pollinating yet is still growing – if it has enough moisture this heat will be a positive to catch up on some GDUs.”

But, Toohill tells Brownfield if there isn’t ample moisture for the crop – the corn will start to roll and slow down growth.

His biggest concerns, he says, are the temperatures at night.  “On the corn that is pollinating now and the corn that has been pollinated it’s going to be a little tough for our respirations,” he says. “We’re going to be more inefficient and will probably see more kernel abortion than I’d like to see.  Especially is we don’t see rainfall in the next couple of days.”

Temperatures are forecasted with highs in the upper 80’s and mid 90’s with lows in the mid 70’s through the balance of the week.