Knee-high by the Fourth of July. That’s a phrase we’re familiar with in Wisconsin when it comes to measuring the success of the corn crop. But in this drought, “knee-high” might not come for everybody by Independence Day.
UW-Extension corn agronomist Joe Lauer says the pollination period will determine what your options are as a corn grower. Right now, the plants are getting ready to pollinate, and water is critical for successful pollination. Plants usually give themselves a week’s time to do this. But if the plant is under stress — i.e. drought and heat — it will only have a few days, and you won’t get good pollination.
He gives Mid-West Farm Report a crop outlook:
The corn plant can get its own water if it can channel its energy into root growth. As long as there’s some cooler days between these hot spells, the corn roots will find water up to seven feet below ground. However, Lauer warns areas of the state with lighter soil may not see those benefits because the soil isn’t holding enough water. And the sweltering days of summer could also interfere because the plant gets too stressed to grow out its roots.
See a previous story regarding the drought’s impact on this year’s crop: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2023/06/20/expert-notes-on-flash-drought/
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