Video: Hail Damage Evaluation and Management in Corn
Production loss estimates in corn from hail damage is a critical first step for determining the need to replant or to make adjustments on future inputs. Regardless of crop development stage, it is critical to wait 7-10 days to allow the crop to respond for proper evaluation. Production loss estimates by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation in corn may include remaining plant stand, defoliation and direct losses from ear damage depending on the stage of development. Additional losses and quality issues can occur with fungal infections so continued scouting of hail damage fields is important. Be sure to contact your crop adjuster before making any management decisions on a hail damaged crop. Justin McMechan, University of Nebraska Crop Protection and Cropping System Specialist.
New Late-Season Hail Videos Added to Hail Know
August 24, 2018
This week four new videos were added to the Hail Know section in CropWatch to address crop assessment and management options after late-season hail, including weed management, cover crops, and forage options.

Mid-Season Hail Damage Assessments in Corn and Soybeans
June 25, 2021
When severe storms and hail hit your corn and soybean fields, it's important to estimate yield losses to determine the need for future inputs and alternative management strategies. This guide offers steps to evaluate mid-season hail damage and estimate potential yield losses.
Video: 7-Day Time Lapse of Corn Recovery from Hail Damage
As part of a 2015 University of Nebraska-Lincoln research project on the effects of hail on crop development, Justin McMechan used time lapse photography to show how V4 corn recovered during the seven days post hail. McMechan and Roger Elmore, Extension Cropping Systems Specialist, used a hail machine.
Video: Hail Damage Assessment
Be confident in accurately assessing hail damage to crops and the potential for regrowth and recovery or the need to replant with research-based information from Nebraska Extension.
How To’s of Crop Damage Assessment
Identify the plant growth stage. If it’s difficult to determine, use planting date and growing degree days as a guide.
Late Season Must-Do's
Use this time to evaluate production practices used and plan for next year’s crop.
Early Season Must-Do's
A number of factors should be considered when evaluating early season crop damage.