As harvest approaches, Greg Peters, an Iowa-based LG Seeds agronomist, says stalk issues are a concern. The early-season drought impacted root development early, and late-season heat and dryness has the crop speeding to the finish line. 

“This year, we're seeing the roots were stunted, especially early in the season,” says Peters. "Normally early season droughts have minimal yield effect, but this year we didn't have the subsoil to really pull it through.”

How Should Farmers Determine Their Corn Field Harvesting Order?

According to Peters, farmers need to prioritize corn fields for harvesting by maturity and standability to help avoid yield losses. “We're recommending everyone go out and look at the root systems this year,” he explains. “We have shallow root systems from the environment, but we also have other factors that are influencing the root.”

To evaluate which fields should be harvested first or earlier, Peters says farmers should scout for stalk quality issues, as well as pest and disease pressure.

Evaluate stalk integrity

Standability issues are often found in fields that ran short on nutrients or moisture throughout the year. Corn plants remobilize nutrients from their stalk reserves and direct them to the ear for grain fill, causing potential for stalk rot and lowered stalk strength.

“The other thing is looking at brace roots. With rapid plant growth, a lot of times we don't have brace roots that develop, so we're going to be susceptible to wind,” adds Peters. “The recommendation is if we're at that 10% root lodging potential area, those fields have a priority at harvest.”

To find that 10%, Peters recommends “push and pinch” strength testing at least 100 random stalks in a field. This involves pushing the upper part of the stalk, so the tassel reaches the adjacent row, then squeezing the lower stalk between nodes about 8-10 inches above the ground.

When stalks snap back, staying erect and rigid, it’s a sign of healthy plants. If stalks break, kink or collapse in about 10% of the plants sampled, that field should be prioritized for harvest.

Scout pest and disease pressure

While drought was common early in the season, some timely rains contribute to late-season disease in corn fields. “If you found tar spot, it’s important to know that inoculum is there for the next growing season,” he said. “When you are making hybrid decisions for the 2024 growing season, select one with resistance to tar spot.”

Peters has similar advice for farmers dealing with corn rootworm. “I've detected several fields where we have rootworm damage,” he says. “If those fields have high pressure, my recommendation is to plan on rotating to soybeans next year; that's the best option that we have for control of rootworm.”

Rely on partners for insights 

Peters reiterates the importance of scouting fields regularly as the fall progresses: “I think that's one thing we have to do – go out and evaluate.”

For support reaching your goals, reach out to your local LG Seeds agronomists or visit LGSeeds.com.