By Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Specialist
Much of the corn in Minnesota is in the dent stage and silage harvest is underway. Corn in Minnesota generally reaches maturity (black layer) at 55 to 60 days after silking, corresponding to September 15 to 20 for most of Minnesota’s acres this year.
Soil moisture and air temperatures for much of the corn in Minnesota have been favorable since pollination, but some regions have experienced intermittent dry conditions. Stress between now and maturity reduces grain fill (kernel weight) and also can reduce stalk strength.
To evaluate, in real time, the impact of this season’s weather on corn yield potential and its spatial variability across the Corn Belt, yield, maturity, and freeze injury predictions were updated on September 2 by University of Nebraska researchers. Results are available at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/hybrid-maize-sept.-2-yield-forecasts.