August update for 2013 corn.

Here is an update that was just shot.  The top photo is of Iowa corn in Washington County, Iowa.  This corn is a nice even stand that is 12' plus.

This bottom photo is of corn in Hardy Co. West Virginia.  This corn is also 12' plus.  I have seen some stands that are near 14' tall.   In the 23 years that I have lived in this area, I have never seen such tall corn.   Now this does not mean that the harvest will be record also.  Most of this corn is in the dough stage.  Generally a large portion of the corn has already entered the dent stage.  I have seen no evidence of this here in West Virginia, and I am also hearing the same for Iowa corn.  The next 6 weeks will be critical for corn.   If we have a early frost yield will suffer.  If it is a late frost say after October 15th, yields will likely be quite good.    

Stay tuned.

2013 corn is on the way

Corn planting for 2013 got a late start in many parts of America. However, in most cases the farmers have completed planting and the corn and other crops are well on the way. This is a two week old photo from Washington County Iowa. I am told that the corn is nearly head high as of today. A direct quote from the farmer. "The corn is looking darn good this year. That corn in the picture was taken less than two weeks ago. When I get back, in a couple days, it will be over 6 feet." "Conditions have been great, so far. To place conditions in prespective, I had my alfalfa test plot cut this past week. The farmer said the yield is going to be great. I also drove the polaris through some standing grass that is usually no higher than 4 feet. This year it was 6 to 8 feet tall." "But, just like every year, there are a thousand things that can and will affect the end product. "