Finalizing Corn Irrigation and Determining Termination to Prevent Yield Loss and Maximize Profitability

By Aubrey Shirley

As we begin to approach corn maturity it is important that irrigation does not stop prematurely. Here is an article written by Ross Greene, Nick Shay, Sarah Beth Thompson, and Wesley Porter discussing corn maturity and irrigation termination.

We are quickly approaching the time of year (or may already be in it) when we need to consider how to finalize our irrigation management on our corn crop. I have received a few calls and seen pictures of the ends of corn ears tracking the milk line. I would say by the time this article is posted there are many corn fields that should have already terminated irrigation.  

The official irrigation termination is black layer and this article is going to step you through that process.

The corn in this picture has reached approximately half or 50% milk line. It is tough to fully estimate how quickly the corn will dry down, as that is related to weather conditions, rainfall, and irrigation applications. The lower the humidity, the faster the kernels will dry down. If you stop irrigating too soon, the kernels will dry too rapidly without final filling, and you will incur yield reductions. Thus, as we approach the dent stage, it is critical that you start monitoring the milk line, the weather, and the soil moisture in your corn fields.