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Agronomy expert still sees potential for derecho corn

A product specialist with Helena says corn in the path of the Midwest derecho in late June could still have yield potential.

Brad Hammes, based in Iowa, tells Brownfield he was scouting fields in parts of northern Missouri when the derecho hit and was able to check effected fields immediately after the storm.

“And the good news is of that group for the most part, they still had six or seven leaves left to develop in that crop. So, it was going to be able to have the opportunity to stand back up, there was enough vegetative growth. I talked to folks in some of the areas where they were just about ready to tassel and they were able to goose neck that back up.”

He says there are concerns about stalk quality and strength especially later in the season, but most farmers in the area could still see a decent crop, weather permitting.

“So far through those fields, even though they had been through some dry conditions, I think there was still enough root mass in the ground that we’ll still be able to get some bushels out of those fields.”

Hammes says he does expect a slower harvest in that area.

Interview with Brad Hammes

*Photo provided by Illinois farmer Marty Marr. Marr is pictured in one of his corn fields near New Berlin, Illinois shortly after the June 2023 derecho.