Waterlogged conditions over a four to five week period during May and June significantly stunted corn development and resulted in poor yields. Conscientious field observations revealed slight improvements in relief significantly relieved stunting. Yield reports from isolated bedded corn acres were excellent, compared to flat planted neighbors fields. I strongly believe raised beds would have eased waterlogging effects this year and have significant advantages on bottom land soils in this region. Growing corn on beds provides the same advantages traditionally seen in cotton production.
Beds provide surface drainage and provide a warmer seedbed than a similar flat seedbed.
Utilizing raised beds has traditionally allowed producers to plant earlier and improve seedling survival and vigor. However, the excellent crops harvested in the past two years have benefitted greatly from crop rotation. Growers can maintain these benefits by continuing to rotate crops on a yearly basis. Many weed, insect, nematode and disease problems arise due to cumulative effects of using the same management program every year. Corn rotated with cotton or soybeans effectively disrupts many of these cumulative effects, preventing many problems and reducing input costs.