Ok, folks it is time for another Crystal Cattle unofficial Corn Report. I say unofficial because there are a thousand (probably more) people out there than know a lot more about corn than I do, but I love learning about it. So what did I learn this week? Well first let's compare how much it has grown.
And this is what that same field looked like on August 27, 2011. It keeps getting taller, however here's the cooler stuff.
The is the Boy's forearm. The corn cobs are huge. This particular cob was 18 kernels around. That's good I am told.
Now to some this corn may look ready to harvest, but the Boy showed me a few more things that we have to look at to help determine when the corn should be harvested.
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| click on photo to enlarge |
You can see that some of the kernels are dented and some are not. All the kernels must be dented before the corn is ready for harvest.
The moisture in the cob is also too high right now. If you look closely you can see the change of color in the kernel, this is called the milk line. This line needs to move all the way to the bottom of the kernel before the crop can be harvested.
Have you ever seen this happen to an ear of corn? I learned that is due to heat stress. These top kernels did not get pollinated resulting in what you see. And that's all for this week's Corn Report. Don't forgot to thank a farmer.
Don't forget about the giveaway that is also going on right now.
You are learning a lot about corn. Once you get married and settled in, I'd say you should consider yourself a true Iowa farmgirl!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the corn lesson. Corn is a staple in this house, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteYeah our corn around here hasn't grown nearly like that, I think that's why they are saying corn is going to be stressed this year.
ReplyDeleteOur corn is nowhere near that height. Last night was the first rain we've had since July 4th.
ReplyDeleteThe corn in Louisiana was completely brown. I was thinking it was probably dent corn, too.
ReplyDeleteThat is mostly for feed, right? Or is it used for ethanol, too?
It sure looks good!
Oh, I enjoyed this. Basic, simple and easy for me to remember!
ReplyDeleteI believe that's as high as an elephant's eye!
ReplyDeleteI love corn. Maybe it's my Nebraska heritage ;)
ReplyDeleteLOVED the corn report!! Learned SO much ;) Thanks for the education Crystal.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a farm girl through cattle, but I love learning about the crops too. LindaG this field might get used for some of both.
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