By Jeff
Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist
Much of the
corn in Minnesota is in the dough stage of kernel development. At this stage
and beyond, stress to corn from dry conditions reduces yield by decreasing
kernel size. Kernel number is not reduced due to stress during the dough stage,
since that has already been established.
Corn
development in Minnesota and much of the Corn Belt continues to remain behind
that of last year and the 5-year average. Although warm temperatures advance
corn development and reduce risk of corn being immature before a killing
freeze, warm temperatures can shorten the duration of grain filling and
therefore result in lighter kernels, especially when combined with dry
conditions.
To evaluate
the impact of this season’s weather on corn development and yield potential,
researchers from the University of Nebraska ran a crop simulation model on
August 21 for 37 locations across the Corn Belt, including three from
Minnesota. Results are available at: August21 Corn Yield Forecasts.
These
forecasts indicate a low probability of below-average corn yield at most sites across
the Corn Belt where planting was not exceptionally delayed. However, excessive early-season
rainfall that occurred in many areas is expect to result in considerable
variability in corn yield among fields and regions. A final set of yield
forecasts and an analysis of the growing season is planned for early September.
More
educational resources on corn production are available at Extension's Corn Production website.
