28 Days to Build Your Best Corn Yield: Why the First Month is Critical
The first 28 days after planting are critical to building a corn crop’s yield factory. According to AgriGold Agronomist Leslie Lloyd, the emergence of slower corn plants results in fewer bushels than early emerging plants. Although it is still possible to produce an average to above-average crop with a slow start, it will be an uphill battle. Therefore, optimizing the first 28 days is crucial for farmers to unlock the full potential of their acres.
Lloyd advises farmers to pay attention to the accumulation of growing degree units (GDUs) to mitigate the risks associated with early planting. It takes about 120 GDUs for a corn plant to emerge, and farmers should not plant if the GDU accumulation for the last three days and the next three days is not accumulating the 120 GDUs that corn plant needs. Additionally, planting depth plays a crucial role in emergence. Farmers should not make the mistake of planting too shallow, which is a far more common mistake and reason for replanting.
Key Takeaways
- The first 28 days after planting are critical to building a corn crop’s yield factory.
- To mitigate the risks associated with early planting, farmers should pay attention to the accumulation of growing degree units (GDUs) and planting depth.
- Achieving uniform emergence and feeding the corn crop correctly in the first 28 days is key to a successful harvest.
The Importance of Early Growth Stages
The first 28 days after planting are critical to building a corn crop’s yield factory. According to AgriGold Agronomist Leslie Lloyd, slower emerging corn plants make fewer bushels than early emerging plants. If you get off to a slow start, you can still produce an average to above-average crop, but it’ll be an uphill battle.
Germination to V3 Stage
Farmers need to pay attention to the accumulation of growing degree units (GDUs) to mitigate risks associated with early planting. It takes about 120 GDUs for a corn plant to emerge. If farmers are debating whether to plant, they should look at the GDU accumulation for the last three days and the next three days. If it’s not accumulating the 120 GDUs that corn plant needs, they shouldn’t plant.
When it comes to emergence, farmers want the time from when the first plant shoot emerges to the last one appears to be as short as possible. A lot of that comes down to planting depth. Farmers go to huge expense with their planters to get perfect everything in terms of seed singulation and drop for ideal spacing. But what the planter cannot do is set to the ideal depth when they first pull into the field for things like variation in tillage, field size, or crop rotation. As planting technology advances, farmers often forget the basics, like the fact soil temperatures and moisture are more uniform deeper into the soil.
According to Lloyd’s studies on the topic, farmers aren’t making a mistake by planting deeper. A far more common mistake and reason for replanting is planting too shallow. There’s a lot of temperature fluctuation in the top 1.5 inches to 2.0 inches of soil. But soil temperatures at a depth of 2.5 inches to 3.0 inches are relatively consistent.
V4 to V6 Stage
Farmers need to make sure corn plants have sufficient fertility by the V2 to V3 stage, before they hit the V6 stage when it’s setting the number of kernels around, according to Lloyd. Nutrient placement also matters. More and more farmers are moving to strip tillage and strip fertility, getting the nutrients where the corn roots are located in the first 28 days. That’s a win for the environment, a win for the pocketbook, and a win for the development of the corn plant.
Achieving uniform emergence and then feeding it correctly in that first 28 days goes a long way for corn crops. That goes beyond nitrogen. According to research and tissue sampling protocol, the importance of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, and zinc to plant development is underscored.
Lloyd encourages farmers to do trials on their farms, which can provide critical insights. Farmers should reach out to their local AgriGold agronomist for help getting their corn crop off to a strong start.
Related Posts:
Nutrition and Water Management
The first 28 days after planting are critical to building a corn crop’s yield factory. To unlock the full potential of their acres, farmers need to optimize the first 28 days. Leslie Lloyd, an Agronomist at AgriGold, offers advice for optimizing this period and positioning farmers to achieve the best possible yields.
Fertilization Strategies
According to Lloyd, achieving uniform emergence and feeding corn plants correctly in the first 28 days is crucial for corn crops. Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, and zinc are all essential to plant development. Farmers need to ensure that corn plants have sufficient fertility by the V2 to V3 stage, before they hit the V6 stage. At the V6 stage, the plant sets the number of kernels around, making it an important stage for the plant’s development.
Nutrient placement also matters. More and more farmers are moving to strip tillage and strip fertility, getting the nutrients where the corn roots are located in the first 28 days. This approach is a win for the environment, a win for the pocketbook, and a win for the development of the corn plant.
Irrigation Practices
Water management is also critical in the first 28 days of corn growth. Saturated soils aren’t just sticky and difficult to plant; they also prevent the cornseed from getting the oxygen it needs, leading to replants. Low oxygen creates anaerobic conditions for the corn seed, which can lead to seedling diseases like phytophthora and rhizoctonia. When scouting for those threats, farmers need to carefully dig up a few plants and examine root development. Roots should be crisp, white, and clean when cut with a knife. If not, farmers may have some root issues that are difficult to outgrow.
Farmers should also be on the lookout for corkscrewing, which can occur when a cold rain or cold snap comes soon after planting. This condition results from imbibitional chilling and can affect farmers in the Upper Midwest.
Finally, Lloyd notes that a fast, uniform stand is critical. Farmers need to make sure corn plants have sufficient water by the V6 stage. At this point, the plant is setting the number of kernels around, and water stress can reduce the final yield.
In conclusion, farmers need to pay attention to the accumulation of growing degree units, planting depth, soil moisture, and nutrient placement to optimize the first 28 days of corn growth. By doing so, they will be able to achieve uniform emergence and feed corn plants correctly, leading to a higher yield.
Pest and Disease Control
To ensure a healthy corn crop, farmers must take necessary measures to control pests and diseases. Insects and diseases can cause significant damage to corn crops, leading to a reduction in yield. The following subsections provide information on effective pest and disease management strategies.
Insect Management
Insects can cause significant damage to corn crops. Therefore, farmers must be vigilant in monitoring their fields for signs of insect infestations. Some common corn pests include corn rootworm, corn earworm, and European corn borer. Farmers can use insecticides to control insect populations. However, it is important to use insecticides judiciously to avoid harming beneficial insects and pollinators.
Disease Management
Diseases can also cause significant damage to corn crops. Anaerobic conditions associated with cold, wet soils can foster seedling diseases like phytophthora and rhizoctonia. Farmers must ensure that fields are sufficiently dried out to prevent the corn seed from getting the oxygen it needs. Low oxygen creates anaerobic conditions for the corn seed, leading to replants. Farmers should also scout fields regularly to identify any signs of disease. Carefully digging up a few plants and examining root development can help identify root issues that are difficult to outgrow.
To prevent the spread of disease, farmers can use fungicides. However, it is important to use fungicides judiciously to avoid harming beneficial fungi. Additionally, farmers can plant disease-resistant corn varieties to reduce the risk of disease.
By following effective pest and disease management strategies, farmers can help ensure a healthy corn crop and maximize their yield potential.
Weed Management
Weed management is an essential aspect of corn production. Effective weed management can help farmers maximize their yield potential. When it comes to weed management in maize, there are several regulatory and environmental considerations that need to be taken into account.
Herbicide Selection
The selection of herbicides should be based on the weed species present in the field. Farmers must also consider the timing of herbicide application. Pre-emergent herbicides should be applied before the weeds emerge from the soil, while post-emergent herbicides should be applied after the weeds have emerged.
Farmers should also consider the herbicide’s mode of action. Using herbicides with the same mode of action repeatedly can lead to the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. Farmers can prevent this by rotating herbicides with different modes of action.
Cultural Practices
Cultural practices can also help control weeds. Farmers can use tillage to control weeds, but excessive tillage can lead to soil erosion and reduced soil health. Farmers can also use cover crops to suppress weed growth. Cover crops can help smother weeds, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil health.
Crop rotation can also help control weeds. Rotating crops can help break the weed cycle by interrupting the weed’s life cycle. Farmers can also use crop rotation to reduce the weed seed bank in the soil.
Related Posts:
Environmental Factors
The first 28 days after planting are critical to building a corn crop’s yield factory. Environmental factors such as temperature and light availability play a crucial role in this process.
Temperature Impact
Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors that affect corn growth and development. Corn plants require a minimum soil temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. If the soil temperature is too low, the corn seed may not germinate, or it may take longer to emerge, which can lead to uneven emergence.
Additionally, soil temperature affects the rate of nutrient uptake and root growth. If the soil is too cold, the corn plant may not be able to absorb nutrients efficiently, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies and stunted growth.
Light Availability
Light availability is another critical environmental factor that affects corn growth and development. Corn plants require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day to grow and develop properly. Insufficient light can lead to poor plant growth, lower yields, and delayed maturity.
To optimize light availability, farmers should ensure that corn plants are planted in areas with adequate sunlight. They should also avoid planting corn too closely together, as this can lead to shading and reduced light availability.
Related Posts:
Hybrid Selection and Planting Density
When it comes to corn production, selecting the right hybrid and planting at the appropriate density can make a significant difference in yield. The first 28 days after planting are critical to building a corn crop’s yield factory, and farmers must make the most of this period to unlock the full potential of their acres.
Genetic Potential
Hybrid selection is the foundation for unlocking the full potential of a corn crop. Farmers need to choose hybrids with high yield potential, good disease resistance, and tolerance to environmental stress. One such hybrid is Vihaan Hybrid Maize seeds, which have been developed to produce the highest yield of sweet corn varieties. These seeds are known for their adaptability to various soil types and weather conditions, making them ideal for farmers looking to maximize their yields.
Spacing and Arrangement
Planting density is another critical factor that can impact corn yield. Planting too close together can result in competition for resources, while planting too far apart can lead to underutilization of resources. Farmers must pay attention to the spacing and arrangement of their corn plants to ensure optimal yield.
To mitigate risks associated with early planting, farmers should pay attention to the accumulation of growing degree units (GDUs). It takes about 120 GDUs for a corn plant to emerge. If farmers are debating whether to plant, they should look at the GDU accumulation for the last three days and the next three days. If it’s not accumulating the 120 GDUs that corn plant needs, they shouldn’t plant.
When it comes to emergence, farmers want the time from when the first plant shoot emerges to the last one appears to be as short as possible. A lot of that comes down to planting depth. Farmers go to huge expense with their planters to get perfect everything in terms of seed singulation and drop for ideal spacing. But what the planter cannot do is set to the ideal depth when they first pull into the field for things like variation in tillage, field size, or crop rotation. Farmers aren’t making a mistake by planting deeper, referencing his studies on the topic. A far more common mistake and reason for replanting is planting too shallow.
Farmers should also make sure fields are sufficiently dried out. Saturated soils aren’t just sticky and difficult to plant; they also prevent the cornseed from getting the oxygen it needs. Low oxygen creates anaerobic conditions for the corn seed, leading to replants. Anaerobic conditions associated with cold, wet soils can also foster seedling diseases like phytophthora and rhizoctonia. When scouting for those threats, farmers should carefully dig up a few plants and examine root development. Roots should be crisp, white, and clean when cut with a knife. If not, they may have some root issues that are difficult to outgrow.
Achieving uniform emergence and then feeding it correctly in that first 28 days goes a long way for corn crops. That goes beyond nitrogen. Our research and tissue sampling protocol underscored the importance of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, and zinc to plant development.
Farmers need to make sure corn plants have sufficient fertility by the V2 to V3 stage, before they hit the V6 stage when it’s setting the number of kernels around. Nutrient placement also matters. More and more farmers are moving to strip tillage and strip fertility, getting the nutrients where the corn roots are located in the first 28 days. That’s a win for the environment, a win for the pocketbook, and a win for the development of the corn plant.
Related Posts:
- Vihaan Hybrid Maize Seeds: Get the Highest Yield of Sweet Corn Varieties!
- Unlocking the Secrets of Sammaz 17, 15, 33: Boost Your Harvest with this Unique Seed
Monitoring and Adjusting Practices
To optimize the first 28 days, farmers need to pay attention to the accumulation of growing degree units (GDUs) and avoid making mistakes like planting too early or when the field is too wet. According to AgriGold Agronomist Leslie Lloyd, it takes about 120 GDUs for a corn plant to emerge. Farmers should look at the GDU accumulation for the last three days and the next three days. If it’s not accumulating the 120 GDUs the corn plant needs, they should not plant.
When it comes to emergence, planting depth plays a crucial role. Farmers should avoid planting too shallow, as it can lead to replanting. Soil temperatures and moisture are more uniform deeper into the soil. Lloyd advises planting deeper, referencing his studies on the topic.
Farmers should also ensure fields are sufficiently dried out to prevent seedling diseases like phytophthora and rhizoctonia, which can occur in anaerobic conditions associated with cold, wet soils. When scouting for those threats, farmers should examine root development. Roots should be crisp, white, and clean when cut with a knife. If not, they may have some root issues that are difficult to outgrow.
Achieving uniform emergence and then feeding it correctly in the first 28 days goes a long way for corn crops. Farmers should ensure corn plants have sufficient fertility by the V2 to V3 stage, before they hit the V6 stage when it’s setting the number of kernels around, according to Lloyd. Nutrient placement also matters.
More and more farmers are moving to strip tillage and strip fertility, getting the nutrients where the corn roots are located in the first 28 days. That’s a win for the environment, a win for the pocketbook, and a win for the development of the corn plant.
Lloyd encourages farmers to do trials on their farms, which can provide critical insights. They should reach out to their local AgriGold agronomist for help getting their corn crop off to a strong start.
