This will obviously weaken the stalks' ability to withstand storms without lodging or breaking, especially after physiological maturity. Some corn borers also tunnel in the ear shank, which holds the ear on the stalk. This could cause considerable ear dropping. Most of the timely planted corn should avoid problems caused by third generation borers because the corn will be mature and hopefully harvested before damage results in additional field losses. However, the third generation of the Southwestern corn borer can cause severe lodging, since it girdles the inner stalk close to ground level.
Early harvest is imperative in heavily infested fields.
Harvest timing directly influences the duration corn is subjected to environmental conditions that could put corn on the ground rather than in the bin. Corn reaches physiological maturity at about 30 percent moisture and can be harvested at any time thereafter. Corn normally takes about 25 days to field dry from 30 percent to 15 percent moisture. Early harvest could significantly reduce the amount of field loss by avoiding heavy late-season storms. Dr. John Byrd Poisonous plants are a subject of interest for most cattle producers and many homeowners.