Corn has been slow to emerge this year due to cool weather. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) field crop team states that this isn’t necessarily a sign of seed damage or death, and that with enough heat the corn should emerge in good shape.
However, the recent downpour of rain that southwestern Ontario received might change that, depending on how quickly flooded or saturated fields can drain and temperature.
Bob Nielsen, a professor of agronomy at Purdue University in Indiana and @PurdueCornGuy on Twitter, has written an article about the effects of flooding/ponding on corn fields for Hoosier Ag Today. He has created a list of the potential factors that affect the risks created by flooded or saturated corn fields. Nielsen also notes that there is no one answer for how flooded fields will fare following a severe rain event.
The developmental stage of the corn has a significant impact, as well. The earlier in development, the more likely the corn will be submerged, increasing the risk of crop loss dramatically. | READ MORE
