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Hot, dry forecast could impact the corn crop

Hot and dry conditions are expected in many parts of the Midwest in the next 7-14 days as the corn crop enters pollination.

Channel Seeds Technical Agronomist Whitney Monin says the long stretch of 90-degree days is a concern for corn.

“When you start talking about mid-ninety-degree temperatures that’s when pollen becomes not viable or even becomes sterile and that’s something that we don’t want to see in terms of pollination,” she says.

She says corn yield could be impacted if these conditions continue as forecasted without rain or a drop in temperature.

“Some studies say we lose up to one percent of yield per day, other studies say we lose somewhere between 2-6 percent of overall yield per day,” she says. “It’s really going to come down to that temperature combined with if we have adequate moisture reserves in the soils.”

But, Monin says lower nighttime temperatures will help.

“We are still going to get those 70-degree reprieves at night and corn does a tremendous amount of pollination at night,” she says.

She says growers should keep in mind that the best time to spray corn is between VT and R1. She says fungicide will help lower respiration, preserve silks, and ensure good pollination in the warm conditions.

Audio: Whitney Monin