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Most Illinois farmers finding good stalk quality

A pair of Illinois-based agronomists say most farmers are finding good stalk quality in their cornfields.

Ryan Gentle, with Wyffels Hybrids, tells Brownfield…

“In general, I’d say the crop is hanging in there pretty well.”  He says, “The corn is still standing pretty good.  Fungicide can help with that too. You know, it usually that helps overall plant quality.”

Chad Kalaher, who covers eastern Illinois with Beck’s Hybrids, says he’s seen relatively few issues, but does still recommend farmers scout their fields.

“Doing the push tests on the stalks at about the waist level, you know 36 inches or so off the ground.”  He says, “We want to just try to simulate what a windstorm would look like and it would help prioritize which fields you need to go after first.”

Gentle says parts of the state that saw mid-summer windstorms seem to be the exception.

“We had two or three pretty good wind events.”  He says, “If guys weren’t out doing a real good job scouting, they’re finding with the combine that they had a little more green snap from the July derecho. So probably a few more calls to the insurance agent here lately.”

Both agronomists say taking the time to prioritize fields by stalk quality can avoid the hassle of harvesting downed corn later in the season. 

AUDIO: Ryan Gentle – agronomy manager at Wyffels Hybrids