Range of Corn Development Found Across Northwest Missouri Fields

Range of Corn Development Found Across
Northwest Missouri Fields
There is a wide range of corn planting dates across Northwest Missouri. Corn plants range from emergence to silking.
Late planted corn generally has issues of poor weed control and need for fertilizer. If products were applied earlier, the weed control products are now losing control. Also, fields that have been delayed from wet soils also face the need for additional nitrogen fertilizer.
At the Graves-Chapple Demonstration Farm, the south part of the farm was saturated with standing water during the spring. We applied supplemental nitrogen to this area as much of the nitrogen denitrified or was leached deeper into the soil. The plants have responded to additional nitrogen compared to the checks so we are maintaining our yields.
Early planted corn especially along the west side of the region looks extremely good. Corn is dark green and moving along in forming kernels.
Growers, who are considering applying fungicides and herbicides, should do so according to the label. Research from Purdue indicates that adding surfactants before tassel emergence can impact ear development. Also some herbicides can also cause the same type of injury.
Also, be careful when applying products to avoid drift onto any adjacent crops. We want to progress through the growing season without any issues.
Corn insect problems have been few. We are currently trapping for Western Bean Cutworm at the Graves-Chapple Farm and have only captured a few moths. We are looking at four different types of traps to determine which may work best.
For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists with the University of Missouri Extension.