By Bill Arndorfer, Extension field agronomist; Alison Robertson and Gary Munkvold, Department of Plant Pathology; Charlie Hurburgh, Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering; and Steve Ensley, Vet Medicine
There were two major hail events this summer during grain fill that resulted in significant corn crop damage in the path of the storm. The damage occurred over several thousand acres with some fields being a total loss and other fields having varying degrees of damage. This resulted in several crop hail damage meetings across the state to help farmers make informed harvest decisions. A common question from farmers and grain merchandisers dealt with grain quality issues. Specifically, what impact will the hail damage have on grain quality, ear rot severity and mycotoxin contamination in my corn crop?
To help answer this question, ISU Extension will be conducting a survey to assess the impact of hail damage on ear rot severity, mycotoxin contamination and grain quality in corn. Iowa State University plant pathologists Alison Robertson and Gary Munkvold along with Charles Hurburgh, Professor in Charge of Iowa Grain Quality Initiative are looking for fields that were damaged by hail this past summer to be included in this survey. The following information is required in order to be a part of the study: field location with GPS coordinates or section and township, hybrid involved, date of the hail storm, size of hail stones, duration of the storm, percent damage to the crop, growth stage of the crop at the time of the hail damage and whether fungicides were applied. To participate in this survey, first identify hail damaged corn fields, and then notify Bill Arndorfer at: email@example.com of intent to participate.
In order to further assess the impact of fungicide application on hail damaged corn, fields that have an untreated strip check should have ear samples taken from both the treated and untreated areas of the field. If an undamaged field of the same hybrid occurs nearby, then ear samples from the undamaged and damaged fields are encouraged.
For each field sample submitted a report of ear rot prevalence and severity, mycotoxin levels and grain quality characteristics of each sample, will be prepared and e-mailed to the person submitting the sample.