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Scout corn pre-harvest for standability concerns

A group of Illinois agronomists say farmers should be scouting their corn fields this harvest season for stalk quality issues.

Lance Tarochione, field agronomist in northwest Illinois with Bayer, says physics are not on the side of the corn plant.

“I’m always worried about stalk quality in corn, even if there’s not a problem.”  He says, “It doesn’t stand forever. There is a tremendous corn crop out there and every stalk has a lot of weight hanging on it based on some of the yields that we’ve seen.”

Robby Meeker, east central Illinois agronomist with LG Seeds, tells Brownfield those fields that saw disease pressure are top priority.

“Those fields that seem to have died or matured very quickly.”  He says, “Check by doing a pinch test. So, you take the bottom of the corn plant and squeeze that plant. And if you’re squishy at all, know that that field is vulnerable.”

Matt Montgomery, west central Illinois agronomist with Pioneer, says a warm winter and the season’s abundant rainfall also brings up nutrient deficiency concerns.

“We were concerned about nitrogen supply,” he says, “and I do think you’re starting to see that crop begin to cannibalize itself.”

All three say scouting ahead of harvest can help limit the possibility of having to harvest downed corn later in the fall.

AUDIO: Robby Meeker – LG Seeds agronomist