Figure 1. It's likely that a combination of factors this year likely led to weakened corn ear shanks, large ears, and stalk and ear rots which together may have contributed to increased ear dropping.
While sustained high winds for several days in late October was likely the final catalyst, a number of factors may have led up to increased ear drop in corn. This article looks at potential factors throughout the season that may have eventually led to a challenging harvest.
Crop modelers wrap up their forecasts of rainfed and irrigated corn yields across the Corn Belt for 2017, noting above-average yields for about 80% of the irrigated sites and more than 60% of the rainfed sites. Irrigated yields ranged from 11%-17% over long-term averages at those sites and rainfed yields at those sites were 13%-40% above average. View data for all the sites.
Most soybeans are harvested and delivered directly to an elevator instead of being placed in on-farm storage. Soybeans delivered below or above 13% moisture—the elevator standard—lose potential profit. The economics illustrated here show how harvest timing can affect potential income.
Forecasts for end-of-season corn yields improved across much of the Corn Belt since the early August forecast. View crop stage and yield forecasts as well as weather data. In Nebraska predictions are for near to above average corn yields for most sites, except northeast and northwest sites.
Nebraska Extension educators and specialists would like to hear from growers and agribusiness about their experiences with dicamba this season. Information can be shared via an online survey or by contacting them directly with the email provided.
Corn yield forecasts for Nebraska sites indicate near-average to above average yields for most irrigated sites. There was much more yield variability for rainfed locations where three of the sites were forecast with a 50%-100% chance of below-normal yields and three were forecast for normal yields, while one was near average.
Considering the day to day and week to week variability in weather we’ve experienced and the wide range of regional conditions across Nebraska this year, scouting fields for kernel set and overall condition may be more important than ever. Check out these corn reports from across the state.
Warm, wet conditions across Nebraska the past two weeks created optimal conditions for crop diseases. This update looks at identification and management of three diseases in corn: southern rust, which is expanding in the state, bacterial leaf streak, and diplodia, which is new to Nebraska.
