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Expect late planted corn yields to fall

For growers wondering how much time they have left to plant corn, Burrus Hybrids Product Lead Josh Gunther tells Brownfield there’s still time, but thought needs to be given to potential returns.

“You can expect corn yields to drop the later and later you go, everyone knows that,” Gunther told Brownfield Ag News Tuesday, “but the question comes to are you still going to be able to make a profit on your corn.”

Even if the crop is not yet planted or if it needs to be replanted, Gunther says nitrogen is likely already applied, but there are added input costs connected to replanting.  Referring to the “Replanting Yield Projections”

table in the company’s 2016 Growing Guide, Gunther says planting in late April will produce close to the expected maximum yield, but delaying until late May produces different results.

“You’ve dropped it down to 80 percent of the maximum yield you can expect,” said Gunther, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News.  “The later you wait, the less maximum yield you can expect to get from that crop.”

Greater yield is possible with higher plant population, but Gunther says growers need to pencil out whether the added cost will pay off.  On late-planted corn, Gunther suggests switching to an earlier maturing hybrid, but also stresses planting corn with a Bt trait that provides above ground insect protection.

“You’ll run into a lot of corn borer problems with the later planted corn,” said Gunther.  “You’re basically making a nice little refuge and an oasis for these late generation corn borers.”

It’s also wise for growers to check with crop insurers to find out their cut-off dates for corn planting.

AUDIO: Josh Gunther (4 min. MP3)