USDA Update
Corn harvest progress is slow but coming along. On the last USDA report (10/16/2023), the average statewide temperature for the week ending on October 15 was 53 degrees (1 degree below normal). As far as precipitation, weather stations recorded an average of 0.65 inches (0.09 inches above average).
Eighty-six percent of corn was reported as mature, and 17 percent was reported as harvested. Harvest progress is 6 average points behind last year and 7 average points behind the 5-year average for this time of the year. The harvest moisture was reported at 26 percent.
Corn Dry Down
Cooler than normal temperatures and wetter than normal precipitation can impact corn dry down. Once corn reaches physiological maturity (when kernels have obtained maximum dry weight and black layer is formed), it will dry approximately 0.75 to 1% per day during favorable drying weather (sunny and breezy) during the earlier part of the harvest season (from mid‑September to late September). By early to mid‑October, dry-down rates usually drop to 0.5 to 0.75% per day. Between late October to early November, field dry‑down rates drop to 0.25 to 0.5% per day. Finally, by mid November, dry down rate is estimated at about 0 to 0.25% per day. The later it gets, drying rates go lower and at times drying can be negligible.
Source: osu.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Corn