An ear of corn that fails to droop holds a lot of water in a wet fall and can breed some notable late season problems.

Corn ears normally remain erect until black layer but shorter ear shank lengths, desirable as a corn borer defence prior to Bt traits, have increased duration for some hybrids. Although agronomists contend that the effects of upright ears on fungal infections may not be as pronounced as farmers think, the November 2 cropline report advised that mould issues may be more prevalent than earlier vomitoxin survey reports suggested. Experts are also watching for sprouting grain quality issues, recommending that farmers segregate the worst fields and market them accordingly.

But just because a hybrid had upright ears this year, doesn’t necessarily mean it will again next year, so farmer’s shouldn’t cancel seed orders unless yield results start to weigh in.

Because oats tolerate cool, wet weather so well, they’re a cover crop darling this year. But tips for fall management will cause fewer spring headaches.Peter Johnson, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Cereal Specialist, says oats that are planted August 1st and left until November 1st, will become stemmy and difficult for soil microbes to effectively breakdown but offer organic matter levels comparable to a 100 bu/ac wheat crop. To get 80-90% of that organic matter, without the accompanying cold and wet soils in the spring, consider chopping the oats when they’re knee high. Burn down the regrowth in the fall to encourage rapid breakdown further. Johnson also adds that, even as a cover crop, oats still need at least 30 lbs of nitrogen but not extra seed (70 lbs per acre seems to be lots) for best results.

In recent years, the emphasis on getting crops in the ground early seems to trump all else. But when Mother Nature sets you back, attention to other details may help make up for any potential yield losses.

The more uniformly corn emerges, the more equally plants compete for resources and the higher their ultimate yield. To improve uniformity, ensure the main frame of the corn planter is level once it has been placed in the ground and pulled forward several hundred feet. Check for planter wear that can contribute to vibrations or bouncing in the field and only drive the recommended speed (manuals often say 4.5-5mph), to avoid skips.

Until April 26 (May 1 in <3000 CHU areas), for best results, wait for soil temperatures to read above 10°C (50°F) around 11:30 am using a 10 cm (4”) soil thermometer.