We’re batting 1 000, but the real test will be in October.
This year’s AdFarm North Dakota crop, corn, has fulfilled the three growing steps for a successful crop:
- Up by Memorial Day
- Knee High by the 4th of July
- Fully dented by Labor Day
Cooperating Farmer Fred Lukens, Aneta, N.D., says: “The corn is mostly dented”. That’s a good thing, since “dented” kernels are just slightly indented at the tips, a sign of healthy development.
He continues: “Cobs are big and filled to the tips, showing no stress. Most of the corn is more than 9 feet tall. We got about 1.5 inches of rain last week, then 1.75 inches of rain on September 6, which is more moisture than this corn needs to fill and finish strong. It’s a week or so away from being completely mature and not requiring any more water. At maturity, it’s also immune to early frost damage. Drydown from 35% corn to whatever we get at harvest follows maturity. It takes about 300 GDU’s (growing degree units) for good drydown. With the corn maturing this early, we have a chance of getting these 300 GDU’s.
“Our harvest target remains mid- to late-October. With 15% or 16% moisture corn when we combine it, we’ll save money on drying costs by using an air bin to get the corn under 14% moisture for delivery to the elevator,” Fred explains.
See the AdFarm N.D. corn and read about a “crop consultant” who visited our field at Fred’s own farm blog.
What are your thoughts on our corn development? We’d love to hear your comments.