It's All About Yield "Water, Water, Water"

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Grower Blog

Jonesboro, September, 15 2009

Water needs for our corn crop are critical all the way thru black layer formation. Water demand does slow down as the crop reaches the soft dough stage. Most of the production battle for corn is behind you, so max out kernel size and test weight by irrigating all the way to black layer. Black layer indicates the point at which no more moisture is moving from the cob to the kernel.

To check for black layer, snap the ear in half and keep the tip end. Hand shell a few kernels off the cob. Some kernels will leave the "abscission layer" attached to the cob. If this layer is black and there is good soil moisture at this time, then irrigation can cease. The cob will mature from the butt end to the tip. Good soil moisture and black layer in the middle of the cob, will allow the ear to complete the maturation process.

Another benefit from irrigating all the way thru black layer is to keep the crop healthy and standing thru the drydown process. The corn plant is "cannibalistic". If it needs water or nutrients, and they are not available from the ear or leaves, it will pull them from the stalk. As nutrients are pulled from the stalk, the stalk will in turn get weaker and die prematurely.

Crop Growth and Development Timeline

Here are guidelines for determining crop growth and development of corn.

Silk to Maturity (black layer)	60 days
Blister to Maturity	40 days
Dent (starch line initiation) to Maturity	20 days
50% starch line to Maturity	10 days

The next process will be to determine harvest at specific moisture requirements. Maturity or Black Layer is generally 30% moisture content.

Maturity (30% moisture) to 20% grain moisture	10 days
20% moisture to 15% moisture	10 days

"Drydown" timeframe will vary depending on the hybrid and weather conditions.

Storage and Delivery

You already know this is my "soap box". If you don't have storage and delivery plans made, DO SO NOW.The ability to dry and store your corn will keep you in control of your on destiny. Don't get caught in the "wheat basis" situation with your corn crop.

Always follow grain marketing and IRM requirements and pesticide label directions. B.t. traited products may not be registered in all states. Check with your seed representative for registration status in your area. Acceleron™, Acceleron and Design™, Genuity™, Genuity and Design™, Genuity Icons, Processor Preferred and Design®, Roundup®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design™, VT Triple PRO™, YieldGard®, YieldGard VT and Design®, YieldGard VT Rootworm/RR2®, and YieldGard VT Triple® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Respect the Refuge and Corn Design® is a registered trademark of National Corn Growers Association. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2009 Monsanto Company. Belle™ and Southern to the Cob™ is a trademark of Cullum Seeds, LLC.