Lessons learned from 2019 growing season
Nov. 8, 2019
Dave Nanda, Ph.D., SGD director of genetics
“Every growing season teaches us some new lessons, but I have never learned so many new lessons in any growing season as in 2019,” said Dave Nanda, Ph.D., SGD director of genetics. “I have been working with corn since 1961, but don’t recall so much rain in the spring before that there won’t be at least a window for corn planting. I have talked with several growers, as well as seed business leaders and most of them agree with me. However, Chris Jeffries, president of Seed Genetics Direct, as well as Tom Bechman, editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer, remember that in Indiana and Ohio, 1981 was quite similar. I only remember 1981 summer being very hot, but I was in Iowa at that time which may have made the difference.”
According to Jeffries, in 1981 in southern Ohio, the spring was wet followed by a cool and dry summer.
“It was the year of the 40s: 40 percent moisture, 40 pound test weight and 40 bushels per acre corn yields,” he said. “Combine this all with 18 percent APR and the start of 80s wasn’t pretty for many growers. Today’s hybrids, grower management and technology are far superior to the last time I participated in a wet spring of this magnitude.”
Other lessons learned include:
Chilling injury can prevent corn from germination and result in replanting. Patience is a virtue needed in every season, even in late planting.
Plan ahead for dates to switch to earlier maturity hybrids, as well as when to switch from corn to another crop. This makes the decision-making process more objective. Of course, based on the conditions later, modify your plan as needed; but at least have a plan.
Planting in wet fields leads to root issues and compaction problems every time. Be very patient when pulling the trigger on when to start planting, even if it is getting late.
Goose-necked roots which look like rootworm feeding may come from poor brace root development. Too much water during the seedling stage can affect the ability of corn plants to develop a strong root system, both below and above the ground.
A 90-degree day in late September does not have the same energy power as a 90-degree day in July. The days are getting shorter in September and both light and heat are needed for photosynthesis.
Tar spot and southern rust can come late in the season. They deserve scouting until kernels reach black layer. After that stage, they can’t affect yield much, though they can contribute to earlier dry down.
The use of drones for scouting is becoming more important. An aerial drone view can show patterns not visable from the ground. For example, nitrogen application patterns in the Corn Watch ’19 field were viewable by drone but virtually impossible to realize by just walking the field. If certain patterns keep showing up in the aerial photos, ask questions until corrections can be identified and made for the future as needed. In the Corn Watch ’19 field, it turned out that some rows received more ammonia because of the NH3 applicator.
And as Bechman stated, “There is always a wrong day to plant – even if it turns out to be in mid-June.”
The Corn Watch ’19 field is sponsored by Seed Genetics Direct. Reports on the field’s progress are provided all season (#CornWatch19); read the latest Corn Watch ’19 articles here.