The curveballs that 2019 has thrown our way will surely make this a year for comparing future growing seasons. Despite the many challenges we’ve faced, there is still time to make a plan that optimizes your investment. These pre-harvest considerations will help you make the most of the upcoming season. 

1. Scout your fields.

Scouting fields should be a priority before harvest. Late season pests like the European Corn Borer need to be monitored later in the growing season, as they can interfere with the standability of the crop. Understanding the pest pressure in your field can help you make informed decisions when it comes to considering corn traits needed to effectively manage increased insect pressure in 2020. Another important task during late season scouting is evaluating the standability of the corn plants. A common way to determine standability is by doing the push test to see how susceptible the corn is to high winds, which can cause lodging and harvestability issues. Understanding the pest pressure and standability in your fields will help you develop a field-by-field harvest plan to minimize the risk of corn lodging and increase harvest efficiencies. 

2. Assess your moisture level.  

The development of this year’s crop was later than average, which will cause higher moisture grain this fall.  You may see this as a negative, as the cost of inputs to dry the crop will increase. However, there is another way to look at this situation. Higher moisture corn also means there will be less harvest loss, leading to less volunteer corn the following season and more grain in your hopper.  

3. Calibrate your yield monitor. 

Yield monitor calibration is essential to gain the most accurate information about how your crop performed, so make sure that you are calibrating your combine monitor, often. This is the only true way you can realize the performance of hybrids, chemical performance, and efficiencies of on-farm research. Higher moisture grain will require accurate and timely calibrations of your yield monitoring equipment. 

With these considerations in mind, you’re sure to have a successful harvest. For timely help scouting your fields, assessing moisture levels and calibrating harvest equipment, contact a member of the LG Seeds team today. 

Let’s talk about your next move.