There are some tipsy looking corn crops out there this year and if farmers aren’t carefully checking for rot, stormy weather could fall many stalks before they reach harvest.A high stress year increases plant susceptibility to stalk rots, and although many hybrids have enough rind strength to maintain standability regardless of rot, the rind alone can’t always withstand high winds and heavy rains. A push or pinch test will help to determine if stalks can handle adverse weather. If 10%-15% of plants lodged, or are rotted, harvest the crop early.Where fields have already lodged experts recommend slowing the combine down to speeds of 3km/h, reducing fan speed accordingly, allowing gathering snouts to float along the ground, and (in worse case scenarios) harvest in a single direction against the lean of the stalks. Unfortunately, ensuring a profitable harvest may require extra patience this year.