By Amy Timmerman and Tamra Jackson et.al
Key Takeaways
Weather raises grain quality concerns. Wet conditions late in the growing season have increased concerns about kernel sprouting, ear rots and grain quality in Nebraska corn.
Check for multiple problems. Insect damage, premature kernel sprouting (vivipary) and ear rot diseases can occur together, making field scouting and accurate identification important.
Manage affected grain carefully. Prioritize early harvest, dry grain appropriately for its intended storage period and monitor stored grain closely for mold, hot spots and additional sprouting.
Test when mycotoxins are a concern. Ear rot symptoms don't always reflect the extent of infection. Commercial laboratories can analyze grain for mycotoxins, while the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic can help identify diseases.
Warm, wet weather in September has raised concerns about corn grain quality as harvest gets underway across Nebraska. While some producers have begun harvesting, others are still waiting for fields to dry enough to support equipment. Reports of sprouting kernels (vivipary), ear rot diseases and mycotoxins are already emerging in parts of the state (Figure 1).
September was historically warm and exceptionally wet across portions of Nebraska. Lincoln and North Platte experienced their fourth-warmest September on record, with average temperatures of 73°F and 69°F, respectively. Omaha recorded its second-warmest September, averaging 73°F. Rainfall totals ranged from 1 inch to more than 10 inches across eastern and south-central Nebraska, with daily precipitation records set in Grand Island, Hastings, McCook and Lincoln. Lincoln recorded 11.49 inches of rain, making it the wettest September in 140 years and exceeding the monthly average by 8.59 inches.
Source : unl.edu