Battle for the Belt Episode 27 is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hha0jYyJNIM
As corn harvest season approaches, it is critical to monitor stalk quality and crop lodging (Figure 1), which can affect yield and harvest efficiency. In addition to weather (e.g., dry seasons, wet seasons, wind speed), several other factors can influence lodging risk, including planting dates (exposing the crop to more or less favorable conditions), corn relative maturities (earlier vs. later harvest), and seeding rates (affecting plant competition). For example, higher seeding rates increase plant-to-plant competition, which may reduce stalk diameter and overall crop standability (Figure 2).
This season’s prolonged dry conditions during grain filling are expected to accelerate crop maturity, which may further compromise stalk integrity as plants redirect energy reserves to grain. That said, it is recommended to conduct evaluations of stalk strength across fields. Walk fields and perform tests to identify areas with weaker stalks that may be at greater risk of lodging issues. Test options are:
- The "squeeze/pinch test": if stalk quality is compromised, one or more of the inner nodes in the low canopy can easily be compressed when the stalk is squeezed between the thumb and the forefinger.
- The "push test": push the stalks at the ear level; if the stalk breaks between the ear and the lower nodes, that would be an indication of stalk quality being compromised and a greater risk of standability issues.
Fields exhibiting reduced stalk strength or lodging should be prioritized for early harvest. Additionally, it is advisable to manage harvest at a reduced ground speed in these areas, as doing so can help minimize grain loss and equipment concerns. Careful monitoring and timely decision-making during this period are essential to preserve yield potential and maintain grain quality in corn fields.
The level of stalk standability issues varies from field to field, and hybrids differ in their stalk strength and susceptibility; each field should be scouted separately. Hybrid differences for crop lodging can be large. If lodging is an issue, it is recommended to select hybrids with the lowest stalk lodging ratings for future crop seasons. To compare hybrid differences in lodging, consult the annual report at the Ohio Corn Performance Trial page.
Field Update
Precipitation during the last week alleviated at least partially some of the drought concerns in many parts of the state. Corn and soybean crops are continuing to advance toward maturity, and dry-down has progressed quickly.
At the Northwest location, soybeans from earlier planting dates have reached full maturity (R8), with planting dates one through three already harvested. Later planting dates are approaching R6-R7 (Figure 3). Corn in the region is nearing completion as well, with most planting dates now at R6 (maturity) or close behind.
At Wooster, soybeans from the first three planting dates are now fully mature (R8), while the remaining dates are not far behind at R6-R7. Corn development is also advancing steadily, with planting dates one through three now at R6 and later dates progressing through R4 and R5.
The Western location shows similar trends to Northwest and Wooster. Soybeans from the earliest planting dates have reached R8, while later plantings are at R6-R7. Corn maturity is well underway, with planting dates one through three now at R6. Later plantings continue to progress through R4 and R5.
Overall, soybean harvest at the Northwest location will continue, while harvest at Wooster and Western will begin in the coming days as planting dates reach full maturity and dry down to target moisture levels. For a summary of last week’s weather, planting dates, and crop stages, see Table 1.
Keep following the ‘Battle for the Belt’ this growing season to learn more and get further updates! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel.