News

Michigan corn crop almost a month ahead of normal

An extension educator says above normal temperatures have accelerated corn development in the Eastern Corn Belt.

Marilyn Thelen with Michigan State University Extension tells Brownfield most of Michigan’s corn crop was planted later than normal, but warmer temperatures throughout the growing season has advanced the crop well ahead of average.  “When you look at the 30 year average for growing degree days, we’re about 25 days ahead of normal in terms of development on our corn.”

She says monitoring tools predict the mid-Michigan corn crop will reach black layer by this Friday.  “I think the people that will be most impacted by that at this point in time are those that are working on corn silage as that will get out of the optimal moisture relatively quick.”

Thelen says with some of the insect and pollination challenges this season, farmers should harvest affected fields as soon as possible to reduce the spread of diseases.

AUDIO: Interview with Marilyn Thelen