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Agronomic Crops Network

Ohio State University Extension

CFAES

Corn

Corn production and management topics

Successful corn production requires an understanding of the various genetic, management practices, and environmental conditions affecting crop performance. Planting dates, seeding rates, hybrid selection, tillage, fertilization, and pest control all influence corn yield. A crop’s response to a given cultural practice is often influenced by one or more other practices. Hybrids often respond differently to management and the environment. The keys to developing a successful production system are to recognize and understand the types of interactions that occur among production factors, as well as various yield-limiting factors, and to develop management systems that maximize the beneficial aspect of each interaction. In order to obtain higher yields and profits, knowledge of corn growth and development is as essential as how it can be affected (positively or negatively) by the several factors described below.

How Climate Affects Corn Production Harvesting
Corn Growth and Development Specialty Corn
Fertility Recommendations Isolation Requirements for Identity Preserved (IP) Non-GMO Corn Production
Corn Pest Management Vomitoxcin in Corn
additonal online resources:

C.O.R.N. Newsletter Articles

  1. Sample Yield Results

    Corn Relative Maturities and Yield Potential in Ohio

    Author(s): Osler Ortez , Author(s): Alexander Lindsey , Author(s): Rich Minyo , Author(s): Clint Schroeder

    Hybrid selection is one of the earliest decisions made in corn production. Corn hybrids differ considerably in yield potential, standability, maturity, and other agronomic characteristics that affect profitable crop production. Hybrid selection should be based on proven performance from multiple test locations and years.

    Issue: 2026-03

  2. Lep Monitoring Network – Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Remain High # 14

    Author(s): Trevor Mullen , Author(s): Rosalind Holt-Frank , Author(s): Evan Hodkinson , Author(s): Amy Raudenbush , Author(s): Nic Baumer , Author(s): Frank Becker , Author(s): JD Bethel , Author(s): Don Hammersmith , Author(s): Mary Jo Hassen , Author(s): Seth Kannberg , Author(s): Ed Lentz, CCA , Author(s): Kendall Lovejoy, CCA , Author(s): Clifton Martin, CCA , Author(s): Garth McDorman , Author(s): Les Ober, CCA , Author(s): Jordan Penrose , Author(s): Amanda Perkins , Author(s): Beth Scheckelhoff , Author(s): Mike Sunderman , Author(s): Frank Thayer , Author(s): Kyle Verhoff , Author(s): Jacob Winters , Author(s): Andy Michel , Author(s): Kelley Tilmon

    This is our 14th week of monitoring moth pests in Ohio. Between July 21st and July 27th, we continued to monitor Corn Earworm (CEW) and Western Bean Cutworm (WBC). The statewide averages for WBC and CEW decreased in the majority of counties over the past week. We plan to continue monitoring for WBC and CEW into August and then will likely switch our traps over to fall armyworm.

    Western Bean Cutworm

    Issue: 2025-24

  3. Gibberella Ear Rot/DON Risk Tool is Now Available

    Author(s): Jason Hartschuh, CCA , Author(s): Stephanie Karhoff, CCA , Author(s): Pierce Paul

    A vomitoxin (Gibberella ear rot/DON) risk forecast model developed by The Ohio State University Cereal Pathology Lab, thanks to support from the Ohio Corn Marketing Program, is now available. The risk forecast model was developed using weather data and corn grain DON levels from 170 Ohio field environments. Use this model to estimate the risk of DON contamination in your field reaching or exceeding 1 ppm through the new web-based Crop Risk Tool hosted by the Crop Protection Network.  

    Issue: 2025-23
  4. WBC adult

    Lep Monitoring Network – Western Bean Cutworm numbers continue to rise # 13

    Author(s): Evan Hodkinson , Author(s): Trevor Mullen , Author(s): Rosalind Holt-Frank , Author(s): Amy Raudenbush , Author(s): Garth McDorman , Author(s): Nic Baumer , Author(s): Frank Becker , Author(s): JD Bethel , Author(s): Trevor Corboy , Author(s): Nick Eckel , Author(s): Mary Jo Hassen , Author(s): Seth Kannberg , Author(s): Alan Leininger , Author(s): Ed Lentz, CCA , Author(s): Kendall Lovejoy, CCA , Author(s): Clifton Martin, CCA , Author(s): Sarah Noggle , Author(s): Les Ober, CCA , Author(s): Jordan Penrose , Author(s): Beth Scheckelhoff , Author(s): Don Hammersmith , Author(s): Frank Thayer , Author(s): Kyle Verhoff , Author(s): Jacob Winters , Author(s): Curtis Young, CCA , Author(s): Andy Michel , Author(s): Kelley Tilmon

    This is our 13th week of monitoring moth pests in Ohio. Between July 14th and July 20th, we continued to monitor Corn Earworm (CEW) and Western Bean Cutworm (WBC). Over the past week, the state of Ohio experienced moderate rainfall and average temperatures (78.0 °F). The statewide averages for WBC and CEW remained increased from the previous weeks. Please read below for more details.

    Issue: 2025-23

  5. Tight Tassel Wrap in Corn

    Author(s): Stephanie Karhoff, CCA , Author(s): Aaron Wilson , Author(s): Osler Ortez , Author(s): Clint Schroeder , Author(s): Greg LaBarge, CPAg/CCA

    In the last two weeks, there have been localized reports of tight tassel wrap in corn, where the tassel remains bound by the flag leaf (Figure 1). This condition can interfere with pollen shed and lead to poor kernel set in some cases.

    Issue: 2025-23
More Newsletter Articles

Multimedia

Episode 144 – Dealing with DON
Agronomy & Farm Management Podcast Episode 144 – Dealing with DON

There is nothing more frustrating than getting rejected at the elevator due to high vomitoxin (aka DON) levels. DON is produced by a fungi produced on the ear and is usually infected at the time of pollination. To give farmers a better perspective of what happens behind the scenes at a grain elevator, we interview 3 grain merchandisers on their process when DON test levels start creeping up.
Agronomy & Farm Management Podcast Episode 144 – Dealing with DON
Agronomy & Farm Management Podcast Episode 144 – Dealing with DON

There is nothing more frustrating than getting rejected at the elevator due to high vomitoxin (aka DON) levels. DON is produced by a fungi produced on the ear and is usually infected at the time of pollination. To give farmers a better perspective of what happens behind the scenes at a grain elevator, we interview 3 grain merchandisers on their process when DON test levels start creeping up.
Season 2, Episode 16: Corn Diseases & Ear Rots
Season 2, Episode 16: Corn Diseases & Ear Rots

 

Dr. Pierce Paul from the Department of Plant Pathology discusses corn disease management and ear rots. Learn about a new tool in development to predict the risk of vomitoxin in corn.
Season 2, Episode 16: Corn Diseases & Ear Rots
Season 2, Episode 16: Corn Diseases & Ear Rots

 

Dr. Pierce Paul from the Department of Plant Pathology discusses corn disease management and ear rots. Learn about a new tool in development to predict the risk of vomitoxin in corn.
More Multimedia

Publications

  1. Abnormal Ear Diagnosis Poster, ACE-1

    Abnormal Ear Diagnosis Poster,  ACE-1. Farmers frequently encounter abnormal corn ears in their fields when the crop has experienced a major stress, such as drought, temperature extremes, disease, insect injury, or misapplied chemicals. These abnormalities often affect yield and grain quality adversely. In this poster, ten abnormal corn ears with distinct symptoms and causes are highlighted. The purpose of the poster is to help corn growers and agricultural professionals diagnose various ear disorders.

  2. Corn Disease Management in Ohio, Bulletin 804

    Corn Disease Management in Ohio, Bulletin 804. Five to 15 percent of Ohio's corn crop is lost to disease each year, amounting to nearly $100 million in lost farm income. Corn diseases include seedling diseases, leaf blights, stalk rots, ear and kernel rots, and viruses. This bulletin describes the disease symptoms, provides color images, gives the environmental factors favoring the disease, the method of transmission and infection, and management options for the major diseases affecting corn in Ohio.

  3. Corn, Soybean, Wheat and Alfalfa Field Guide, Bulletin 827
    06/2019

    Corn, Soybean, Wheat and Alfalfa Field Guide, Bulletin 827.Looking for a handy guide to take to the field to diagnosis various pest and production problems? This guide is the answer! You will want one of these guides in the truck and maybe a second in the tractor.

  4. Ohio Agronomy Guide 15th Edition, Bulletin 472
    04/2017

    Ohio Agronomy Guide 15th Edition, Bulletin 472. The newly revised Ohio Agronomy Guide serves as the official compilation of adaptive results and recommendations from research and educational programs. Described in this manual is information on Ohio's climate and soil, soil and water management, soil fertility, and corn, small grain, and forage crop production and management. Also, seed evaluation and weed control for the previously listed crops are discussed.

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