Drought conditions spark corn lodging concerns

Drought conditions spark corn lodging concerns

An extension corn agronomist is concerned drought stress could result in weakened stalks.

Jeff Coulter with the University of Minnesota says it’s sure to be an issue if conditions get progressively dryer.

“Especially for corn on corn and fields that were stressed early in the season.”

He tells Brownfield farmers should evaluate stalk strength in the weeks leading up to harvest.

“One thing (you) can always do is go out there and cut stalks and look at the pith of the stalk, and sometimes you’ll find that the center of the stalk is hollow but it has a rind around it.