Detasseling is one of the crucial last steps in bringing a hybrid seed to market. Despite attempts at mechanization, the helping hand of the detasseler is still needed to produce a pure and superior seed. When left to grow naturally, a corn plant will pollinate itself. To produce a better type of corn, different strains of corn are mixed, or cross-pollinated. To produce the hybrid seed, tassels are removed from the female plants before they can pollinate themselves.
Timing is important.
Detassel too early and you risk decreasing the yield. Wait too long and the corn plant will have started to pollinate itself, ruining the seed. Seed companies take meticulous care of their fields, closely watching them in order to predict when they'll need to bring in detasselers. Still, it's a tough call, and everyone is at the mercy of the weather. When the time is right, detasselers have to work quickly.