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Corn Production: Basic Agronomic Information for High Yields
The following are production-related resources to help you achieve high yields. Sections on this page include: Corn Planting Resources, In-Season Resources, Corn Flooding and Storm Damage, and Storage/Grain Drying/Blending/Mycotoxin Issues.
Corn Planting Resources
- *NEW* UNL Hybrid Maize Model A computer program that simulates the growth of a corn crop under non-limiting or water limited (rainfed or irrigated) conditions based on daily weather data.
- *NEW*Check out the completely redone Corn Growth and Development publication from Iowa State University Extension! Updated information for today's hybrids and excellent graphics.
- Planting Tips for Successful No-till April 2011 CropWatch article.
- Corn Growth and Development article on national eXtension site.
- How a Corn Plant Develops (Iowa State University Publication)
- Corn Planting Article from eXtension April 2010.
- Planting Considerations CropWatch article on how to no-till corn into corn residue.
- Corn Planting Dates and Planting Populations April 2010 Crop Watch article. Also view 2011 Market Journal Segment here and 2010 Market Journal Segment here. 2011 On-farm Research ppt presentation here.
- How Corn Planting Date Affects Yield April 2009 Crop Watch article.
- Corn Planting Depth April 2010 CropWatch Article. Also view Market Journal Segment here.
- Choosing the Right Tillage System for Row Crop Production This NebGuide systematically considers 19 criteria, in addition to the cost of conversion, in choosing a tillage system for your farming operation. (*pdf)
In-Season Resources
The following are resources available for in-season production issues. For more in depth information, please select from the left-hand menu on this page.
- Evaluating Corn Stands May 2009 Crop Watch article.
- Corn Leaf Burn from Sidedressing Anhydrous Ammonia May 2009 Crop Watch article.
- Ammonia Root Burn on Corn June 2009 Crop Watch article.
- The Use and Pricing of Drought-Stressed Corn This NebGuide explains how to identify drought stress in corn, estimate potential yield, select for forage or grain harvest, and establish prices. Details four forage options and the potential for nitrate poisoning. (*pdf)
- Fertilizer Suggestions For Corn Fertilizer nutrient requirements for corn are based on expected yield and nutrient levels in the soil. (*pdf)
- Site-Specific Nitrogen Management for Irrigated Corn Describes several approaches to site-specific nitrogen management including data collection, soil sampling and nitrogen recommendations as well as a history and economic analysis of the practice. (*pdf)
- Using Starter Fertilizers for Corn, Grain Sorghum and Soybeans Starter fertilizer may increase early growth of corn and gain sorghum, but increased early growth often does not translate to increased grain yield. Starter fertilizer may be of the most benefit under reduced tillage, on irrigated sandy soils and on high pH soils. (*pdf)
- Irrigation Management for Corn This NebGuide discusses corn irrigation management strategy options and objectives. (*pdf)
- Harvesting Crop Residues Issues of crop residue harvest, including nutrient removal and effects on erosion, soil quality, water loss, and yield are discussed in this NebGuide. (*pdf)
- Remote Sensing in Site-Specific Management: Precision Agriculture (*pdf)
- Land Measure Lancaster Co. fact sheet (*pdf)
- 10 Easy Ways to Boost Profits $20/acre A compilation of 22 fact sheets, each of which describes how a change in farming practice can increase profits by a minimum of $2 per practice. Topics range from management strategies for inputs and pests to tillage and irrigation. (*pdf)
- Extension Resources Available to Better Diagnose Ear Abnormalities eXtension article
- Tip Dieback and Zipper Ears in Corn (2010 Ohio State University Article)
- Abnormal Corn Ears Poster (*pdf) Ohio State University
- Shallow Rooted Corn: Will Corn Continue to Root Down After Tassel? 2010 CropWatch Article Also view Market Journal Segment.
- Soil Water Monitoring-Weekly Insights into Data Analysis and Irrigation Scheduling-2010
- Scout for Stalk Rots September 2010 CropWatch Article
Corn Flooding and Storm Damage Information
The following are resources to help in your crop insurance and agronomic decisions.
- *NEW* UNL Extension Flood Information Site
- *NEW* Evaluating Hail Damage to Corn
- Crop Damage and Grower Loss-Addressing Both Fronts (July 1, 2010)
- Flood Recovery Programs Available From USDA’s Farm Service Agency (June 23, 2010)
- Weed Control, Nitrogen Loss Among Challenges Facing Farmers with Soggy Fields (June 23, 2010)
- Flood-plagued Farmers Need to Move Quickly but Carefully, a June 21, 2010 IANR News story
- Unknown Soil Nitrogen Losses: What to Do?, a June 18, 2010 CropWatch article
- Crop Insurance Impacts of Recent Flooding, a June 15, 2010 CropWatch article
- Market Journal, June 18, 2010, with Agronomic Issues of Flood-Damaged Crops with Keith Glewen; Crop Insurance Questions with Paul Burgener; and Potential Damage Benefits Under the USDA SURE Program with Brad Lubben
- Crop Management Information for Flood-Damaged Field Crops, a comprehensive, multi-state list of information resources & links related to flood-damaged field crops, developed by Purdue University Department of Agronomy
- Extension Disaster Education Network Flood, national Extension resources on flood damage to crops and homes; search for specific topics
- Prevented Planting Insurance Provisions: Flood, a USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) fact sheet
- How to File a Crop Insurance Claim, a USDA RMA fact sheet
- Crop Insurance Impacts from Recent Flooding, a June 20, 2008 CropWatch article; reviewed June 14, 2010
- Delayed Planting and Replanting Evaluator, an Iowa State University fact sheet
- Delayed and Prevented Planting Provisions, an Iowa State University fact sheet
- Good Farming Practices Protect Your Investment in Crop Insurance, a USDA RMA fact sheet
- Assessing Hail Damage to Corn National Corn Handbook (*pdf)
- Pummeled Corn Vulnerable to Disease Development, a June 2010 CropWatch article
- Fungicide Use in Corn After Hail Events and Prior to Tassel, a June 2010 CropWatch article
Storage, Grain Drying, Blending, and Mycotoxin Issues
- Blending Grain and Feedstuffs: How to Figure the Proper Proportions This NebGuide will demonstrate how to use a Pierson square to determine the precise proportions of grain or feedstuff required to create a blend. (*pdf)
- Emergency/Temporary Grain Storage: Unconstrained Piles of Grain Lancaster Co. fact sheet (*pdf)
- Cool, Wet Weather has Slowed Corn and Soybean Drying, No Relief in Sight October 2009 Crop Watch Article
- Cool Grain to Avoid Runaway Deterioration October 2009 Crop Watch Article
- Drying Times for Binned Corn with Natural Aeration October 2009 Crop Watch Article
- UNL Extension Lancaster County Grain Drying Web Site
- Monitoring Natural Air Corn Drying-A Demonstration Project (*pdf)
- Recommendations for Monitoring Stored Grain in February February 2010 Crop Watch Article
- Monitoring Stored Grain in March
- Drying Times for Binned Soybeans with Natural Aeration
*pdf documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download free.
2011 Corn CropWatch Stories
July-August:
- Projected Corn Yields Drop Below Average in Model
- How Extended High Heat Disrupts Corn Pollination
- Southern Rust Confirmed in South Central NE
- Q/A on Planting Cover Crops into Destroyed Seed Corn Fields
- Stinkbug Populations Develop in Soybeans and Corn
- Japanese Beetles Reported for First Time in NE Field Crops
- Preparing Bins and Equipment for Pest Free Storage
- Foliar Diseases of Corn Developing Across Nebraska
- New Crop Disease Profiles Available
May-June:
- Farmers Using Nitrogen Efficiently in Corn Production
- Pythium and Other Seedling Diseases of Crops
- Flooding and Stored Grain
- Sampling for Nematodes in Corn
- Field Visit: Yellow Corn Likely from Nutrient Deficiency
- New Resources Available: Assessing Hail Damage to Corn
- Flood Resource from UNL
- How Corn Plants Respond to Flooding
- Evaluating and Replanting Flooded Areas
- After the Rains, Where is the Nitrogen?
- Unintended Residue Movement Threatens Emerging Crops
- Frost and Anaerobic Soils Affecting Seedling Establishment
- Consider All Costs Before Replanting
- If You Decide to Replant Corn, What Comes Next?
- Replant Intervals for Common Pre- and Post-Emergent Herbicides
- Scout for Early Season Insects in Corn
March-April:
- Corn Growth is Slow but Don't Throw in the Towel Yet
- Planting Tips for Successful No-Till
- Agricultural Digging Notification Clarified for Crop Consultants
- Market Journal Looks at Atrazine Monitoring in Nebraska
- Is Nitrogen Use Efficiency Compatible with High Corn Yields?
- UNL Study Finds Soil Temperature Thresholds Shifting Earlier
- Control Winter Annual Weeds Early to Protect Crop Yield
January-February:
