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Minnesota extension agronomist concerned about stalk quality

A corn-based extension agronomist in Minnesota is concerned about stalk quality.

Jeff Coulter says he is hearing reports of good yields as corn harvest picks up across the state, but stand issues are appearing in areas where it got dry late in the season.

“Those big ears that were set, coupled with the later season dry conditions is setting up a scenario where the stalk has preferential pull on the reserves in the plant.  That tends to favor stalk rot development.”

Coulter recommends checking corn stands.

“Particularly the ones that have been dryer later in the season.  If you’ve got stalks that are breaking over easily (or) if you’re cutting them and looking in the inside.  If the inside is pretty much hollow except for the rind around the edge, those are fields that you’ll probably want to move to the top of the harvest list.”

He tells Brownfield parts of southwest and west central Minnesota got particularly dry towards the end of the growing season, but there are reports of poor stands in other areas too.