Nov 06, 2024
Evaluating fields at harvest: 1 step towards seed selection for next year
The agricultural weather data from the MSU Enviroweather station at Deerfield recorded 1.64 inches of rain October 13 and 14, as compared to 2 inches in Ida and 1.75 inches at the Monroe County
The agricultural weather data from the MSU Enviroweather station at Deerfield recorded 1.64 inches of rain October 13 and 14, as compared to 2 inches in Ida and 1.75 inches at the Monroe County Community College Student Ag Farm. Since September 1, the MSU site has had 2.35 inches, compared to the five-year average of 3.25 inches. The deluge in late May and June has the 2024 growing season precipitation at 19.66 inches, above the five-year average of 18.18 inches. The growing degree day (heat units) (base 50º Fahrenheit) for 2024 stands at 3184.6 GDD since April 1, compared to the five-year average of 3041.7 GDD.
The overnight low temperature at the MSU Enviroweather station at Deerfield, MI for 7am on October 16 was 34.2º Fahrenheit, which resulted in some light frost in early morning shady areas. The National Weather Service’ Climate Predication Center 8-to-14-day outlook for October 23 to 29, updated October 15 is “very likely” above normal temperatures and an outlook for near normal chances for precipitation.
Corn test weight is as important as simply talking about yield. Test weight is based on the official volumetric bushel measurement of 1.244 cubic feet. In addition, USDA defines the minimum allowable test weight as 56 lbs./bu. and 54 lbs./bu. for number one yellow corn and number two yellow corn, respectively. Corn grain in the U.S. is marketed specific to a 56-lb bushel regardless of test weight. Furthermore, since test weight is dependent on grain moisture, grain buyers will pay based on “dry” bushels (15 to 15.5% grain moisture. Dan Quinn of Purdue reminds farmers that factors affecting test weight includes hybrid, grain moisture, weather and crop stress conditions. Corn test weight and moisture are inversely related; the higher the moisture, the lower the test weight, though a high test weight does not always mean high grain yield.
Evaluating fields at harvest is one step towards seed and herbicide selection for next year, plus drainage and other factors that influenced the field and crop this year. Standability is one topic of concern due to unusually dry conditions, plus corn ear fill and size or soybean pod numbers and seed counts per pod. Taller corn or soybean plants may not be a desirable characteristic and I have seen shorter soybean plans out-yield taller, adjacent varieties in soybean yield trials. Another thing easy to observe is stand count, if there are significant gaps and what accounts for this. Is this a planter issue, seed quality or insect problem, soil seedbed preparation situation due to wet soils? Now is a good time to evaluate 2024 and think ahead to any changes for 2025.
It appears there is a seventh type of corn that I have neglected to think about; the iconic candy corn. The other six includes field corn (number two yellow dent corn), sweet corn, popcorn, number one food grade corn, seed corn and ornamental (Indian) corn. Despite this type of candy being around since before 1898, it was the 1950’s that modern manufacturing allowed the mass production of this type of candy, with its distinctive colors of white, yellow and orange. This distinctive pattern was “perfected” by a fellow named George Renninger in the 1880’s, who knew he had the perfect shape when he threw some of this candy towards the family’s chickens and they finally started coming after the corn. Although other candies rank higher on the “trick or treat” list today, the candy industry produces about 35 million pounds, or 9 billion kernels of candy corn a year. Today consumers can also buy red and green “reindeer corn” for Christmas.
The recent cold snap has people thinking about using firewood for their woodlot, fireplace and wood burner.