While it sure seems that farmers in northwest Minnesota have been busy with corn harvest, water-cooler talk earlier this fall suggested that some may consider holding off harvest until next spring. Below is a variation on information originally posted by UMN Extension crops educator Angie Peltier and retired NDSU Extension corn agronomist, Joel Ransom in 2019. Managing risk. Corn producers strive to strike a balance between allowing time for in-field grain drying to both reduce drying costs and the chance of harvest-related kernel injury and risking weather that delays harvest, causes stalk breakage or encourages animal feeding. In-season stresses can result in poor stalk strength and pathogens and insects can degrade ear health and shank integrity. A good understanding of the health of the crop before the snow flies can help farmers to best manage risk. Even after snow has fallen it is likely worthwhile to go out and push-test stalks and check on t...
