Forecasting Kansas corn yields for 2019
What is a yield-forecasting tool and how is this tool used? How well does it predict corn yields in KS compared to actual yields? Find out more in this article.
Crop management publications updated for 2020: Corn, Soybeans, and Sorghum
Be ready for the 2020 growing season with these three updated crop management publications from the Department of Agronomy and K-State Research and Extension. These comprehensive guides are written specifically for Kansas and contain valuable agronomic information.
2019 Kansas Performance Tests with Corn Hybrids report now available
The 2019 Kansas Performance Tests with Corn Hybrids report is now available.Corn performance tests are conducted each year by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Producers and crop consultants can use this resource to help select corn hybrids for their operation.
Optimal corn seeding rate recommendations
Optimal corn seeding rates can depend on a number of different factors. K-State's Crop Production Specialist, Dr. Ciampitti, discusses those factors and offers guidelines for producers as corn planting time draws closer.
Soil temperature and moisture update in Kansas - April 2, 2020
Selection of the optimal planting date is an important decision faced by all farmers. Rather than looking at the calendar, farmers should monitor soil temperature and moisture. Read the latest update from K-State Extension Agronomy.
Pre-emergence herbicides for corn
Applications of pre-emergence herbicides at or before corn planting are important to minimize yield losses to early-emerging weeds. Learn more about this weed management practice in this article.
Placement and rate considerations for nitrogen application with starter fertilizer
What types of considerations concerning placement and rates of starter fertilizer should producers keep in mind this spring? Read more from Dr. Ruiz Diaz, K-State's Soil Fertility Extension Specialist.
Soil temperature update for Kansas - April 10, 2020
As air temperatures keep fluctuating, so the soil temperatures. Producers need to closely monitor current soil temps and the upcoming weather forecasts to avoid any potential seedling injury to corn this spring.
Cold soils can lead to chilling injury for newly planted corn
Cold temperatures can result in injury to the germinating corn seed as it absorbs moisture - a problem called imbibitional chilling injury. Damage can occur when soil temperatures are at or below 50 F.
Diagnosing early-season growth problems in corn
Getting a good stand of corn, with vigorous early-season growth, is the first step in getting desirable yields. When adverse conditions occur after planting and emergence, producers monitor the crop for early-season growth problems.
UPDATE - Soil temperature and cold injury for corn
As a cool front impacts Kansas in early May, keep an eye soil temperatures with respect to planting corn and soybeans. Chilling injury can occur if soil temperatures drop too low.
Soil temperatures continue a roller coaster pattern in early May
Soil temperatures continue to take a roller coaster ride heading into mid-May. Extension Agronomy has been continually monitoring both soil and air temperatures this spring. Read this latest update here.
Corn planting and emergence progress report for Kansas and selected Corn Belt states
According to the latest USDA report, corn planting in Kansas is well over halfway complete for the 2020 season. How does this compare with previous years? What is the outlook moving into the last week of May?
Purple color in corn seedlings: Cause for concern?
Cool temperatures this spring, combined with recent rainfall, has slowed plant growth for newly-emerged corn. As a result, purple discoloration is showing up in some fields. Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti discusses this phenomenon and its implications.
Green snap in corn
Some recent storms and high winds this spring have caused significant stalk breakage in corn fields. With these storms, it is not unusual to have up to 40% of stalks in some fields broken off at ground level. This is usually referred to as green snap, brittle corn, or brittle snap.
Corn leaf diseases in Kansas
There are several leaf diseases that can infect corn in Kansas in any given year. They can all be controlled with some combination of hybrid selection, tillage management, crop rotation, planting dates, or foliar fungicides.
corn leaf diseases southern rust leaf blight Goss's wilt gray leaf spot common rust
Plant analysis for testing nutrient levels in corn
Plant analysis is an excellent in-season “quality control” tool. Plant analysis can be used by Kansas farmers in two basic ways: for diagnostic purposes, and for monitoring nutrient levels at a common growth stage.
June heat in Kansas: High temperatures can stress livestock and corn
The month of June has been hot across many locations in Kansas. The combination of heat and drought stress during certain growth stages in corn can be problematic. Read more from Cropping Specialist Ignacio Ciampitti and the Kansas Climate team.
Fungicide considerations for corn diseases: Scouting is key
Corn producers should be scouting fields and assessing the need for a foliar fungicide application. Learn about the different disease risks factors for corn and when treatment is recommended for susceptible and intermediate hybrids.
corn disease foliar fungicides gray leaf spot bacterial leaf streak
First report of southern rust in Kansas for 2020
Southern rust in corn has been detected in both Kansas and Nebraska. Get answers to the most common questions associated with this corn disease in this article from K-State Plant Pathology.
Critical timing in Kansas: High temperatures and corn development
Recent high temperatures occurred at a particularly critical period for the Kansas corn crop. Temperatures last week were unfavorable for a significant portion of Kansas. Heat stress during critical stages could lead to yield reductions.
Learn how to estimate corn yield potential
Once tasseling, silking, and pollination are complete, or nearly complete, producers can begin to estimate corn yield potential. To get a reasonable yield estimate, corn should be in the milk, dough, or dent stage. Learn how to get an early estimate of yield potential in this article.
Status of disease pressure in corn and soybeans
What diseases are cropping up in corn and soybean fields this summer? For corn, most fungicide applications have been made, except for late-planted fields. Soybeans are generally looking good. Read more about what diseases have been found in soybean fields.
soybeans corn disease southern rust gray leaf spot foliar diseases
Learn about the rate of dry down in corn before harvest
As the end of the growing season arrives in Kansas, a common question from growers relates to the dry down for corn. This rate depends on the weather, primarily temperature and moisture conditions. Learn more in this article from Dr. Ciampitti.
Corn production issues - Droopy ears
There have been reports of "droopy" ears in some corn fields across parts of Kansas. What factors led to this issue and what is the potential impact to final yield in those fields?
2021 Corn Management publication and Corn Schools
The 2021 K-State Corn Management publication is now available online. This publication is a great resource and covers all aspects of corn production in Kansas.
Summer row crop disease summary for Kansas in 2020
In general, disease pressure was lower than normal for corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum. The dry weather at critical growth periods contributed to lower incidences of yield-limiting diseases. Read more in this article from Extension Plant Pathology.
2020 Kansas Performance Tests with Corn Hybrids report now available
The 2020 Kansas Performance Tests with Corn Hybrids report is now available. This resource can help growers select corn hybrids for their operation by checking for varieties that show a consistently good performance in their region.
Residual herbicides for corn
Residual herbicides that kill weed seeds/seedlings as they germinate or emerge are an important component of herbicide applications at or before the time of corn planting. Learn about the different options in this article from Weeds Specialist Sarah Lancaster.
Optimal corn seeding rate recommendations
Deciding on the optimal corn seeding rates for your fields can be tricky when you factor in the hybrid, environmental conditions, and management practices. Learn more about this process and what new research is being done at K-State to help producers make this decision.
corn seeding rate plant density plant population yield environment
Soil temperature update and cold injury concerns for corn
Cold temperatures can result in injury to the germinating seed as it is absorbing moisture – a problem called imbibitional chilling injury. Damage to germinating seeds can occur when soil temperatures remain at or below 50 degrees F after planting.
Effect of standing water and saturated soils on corn growth
Many parts of Kansas have received considerable amounts of rain the last couple of weeks. If corn has been planted, standing water or saturated soil conditions in areas of a field can produce impacts now or later for corn. Read about the potential impacts to corn in this article.
Plant analysis for testing nutrient levels in corn
Plant analysis is an excellent in-season “quality control” tool. It can be especially valuable for managing secondary and micronutrients that do not have high-quality, reliable soil tests available, and for providing insight into how efficiently you are using applied nutrients.
Evaluating corn fields for nematode damage
There are many disease organisms that can result in the reduction of corn yields in Kansas. The root-lesion nematode operates below ground on the roots and often has no identifiable symptoms other than yield loss.
Status of disease pressure in corn - June 25, 2021
This article provides an update on the status southern rust and common rust on corn in Kansas as of June 25, 2021. Also discussed is an unusual symptom showing up in select northeast Kansas field called lesion mimic.
Fungicide considerations for corn diseases: Scouting is key
Corn producers in Kansas should be scouting fields and assessing the need for a foliar fungicide application. Different diseases are discussed in this article with management recommendations.
First report of southern rust in Kansas for 2021
Southern rust has been detected in southern Kansas. This is the first confirmed report in Kansas for this growing season. Corn producers are encouraged to be actively scouting their fields. This disease can spread quickly if temperature and humidity are high.
Southern rust has been reported in additional counties in Kansas
Southern rust has been reported in two additional counties in Kansas since the last update on July 8. While levels are low, recent weather in some areas has been favorable for disease development. Early detection is crucial for successful management of this corn disease.
Estimating corn yield potential
With pollination complete or mostly complete in corn fields across Kansas, producers can begin to get an estimate of the yield potential. This article discusses using the yield component method to estimate corn yields in the weeks before harvest.
Don't miss out on entering the 2021 Kansas Corn Yield Contest
Corn fields in Kansas are rapidly approaching maturity and harvest is just around the corner! Don't forget to sign up for the 2021 Corn Yield Contest. Initial entry deadlines are coming up soon. See this article for more information on this year's contest.
Corn production issues - Droopy ears
As the corn crop in Kansas approaches maturity, some reports are coming in regarding "droopy" ears. Learn more about this corn productions issue and what the potential impacts might be when it's harvest time.
New research examines tillering impacts on corn yields
Corn tillering is a form of plant adaptation to the growing conditions. Historically, corn tillers have been viewed negatively, although research studies have shown conflicting results about yield impacts. A new study, with sites across KS, has shed some light on the tillering impacts to corn yield.
Common causes of late-season stalk lodging in corn
Stalk lodging in corn occurs when the stalk weakens and breaks at some point below the ear. When this occurs, it results in harvest losses and slows down harvest. This article discusses the most common causes for stalk lodging in corn.