By Herb Damsteegt Fall harvest is in full swing in Wisconsin.
Many farmers are pleasantly surprised on how fast their corn is drying down.
They have also noticed that the kernels are not real tight on the cob this year. This is an indication that the corn plant possibly died prematurely. Premature death in corn is the result of any stress, alone or in combination that reduces or restricts the sugar making or photosynthetic capability during grain fill. It also enhances stalk rot development earlier than normal. Some stresses can affect corn early and are just now becoming evident.