(June 2008) The late planting caused by excessive precipitation, the cold temperatures experienced throughout the northern half of the country, and now the flooding that's recently hit in most Midwestern states have all significantly impacted emergence and pushed back the growth cycle for corn this year. Therefore, growers are likely to experience challenges not limited to weed competition, uneven stands and late pollination.

While the corn was planted on time in northern states like Michigan, Ohio and northern Indiana, it has taken a long time to come out of the ground because of the cold temperatures. Field location likely determined whether growers planted late or on time in the Northeast, but cold soil temperatures were a constant there, as well. As a result, the plants are going to pollinate a few weeks later than normal throughout the region this summer. And considering there are fields under water in Illinois, Iowa and southern Indiana that were replanted once or even twice, the corn is even further behind there - some by as much as 45 days.

"This year is when growers will really be able to see how the genetic families hold up during late pollination, because the plants will be pollinating in the extreme heat of the summer," says Lee Wilkinson, CROPLAN GENETICS® brand regional product manager. "Come late July and into August, Western Family Genetics and hybrids with a Tropical genetic background should still pollinate well under the heat and moisture stress. Southerns should also do well."

Wilkinson adds that genetic families with flex-type ears, such as Southern genetics and Northern genetics, will help compensate for the reduced stands caused by the cool, wet spring. Western genetics will also increase in ear girth where populations are reduced.

CROPLAN GENETICS® seed district sales manager, Rick Speicher, reminds growers in the western states that with the cold temperatures slowing corn growth, stands should be sprayed based on weed height, not corn height.

"If you haven't sprayed by now, don't wait any longer to get at it because the weeds are out-competing with the corn," he says. "Roundup® tank mixes with Class Act® NG™ adjuvant will do a good job on the larger broadleaf weeds."

If there's any good news for growers, it's that Answer Plot® sites are experiencing the same problems that everyone else is, and Answer Plot® crews are keeping a close eye on the hybrids performing well against these challenges, and the ones that are not. By identifying problems early and keeping track of field performance, they can prove to be an invaluable tool in helping you make informed decisions about next year's crop.

For more customized information about how you can respond to the challenges this growing season is throwing at you, turn to your local CROPLAN GENETICS® seed specialist or check out your local Answer Plot® location as a third-party source to help sort out the other brands and find the answers for your toughest field. To find the closest Answer Plot® site near you, log on to www.AnswerPlot.com.