Options for Double-Cropping Barren Corn
The optimum crop to plant in an emergency forage situation should be determined by 1)
when and how it will be utilized, 2) the forage quality needed, and 3) seed availability
and cost (Undersander, 2008). Since the decision to harvest barren corn should not be
made until after pollination (July 10 to August 1), limited cropping options are available
for double-cropping if pollination is unsuccessful and results in barren corn. However,
farmers may be in an emergency forage situation where they need to produce forage for
a dairy or other livestock operation. Little consideration is given to quality, rather
biomass production is the goal during the remaining time left of the growing season. We
are truly trying to make the best of a bad situation.
A total of 2400 to 2900 Growing Degree Units (GDUs) accumulate during a growing season
in southern Wisconsin. About 1500 GDUs accumulate by August 1 leaving 1200 GDUs for
the rest of the season (Mitchell and Larsen, 1981). Much depends upon the date of the
first killing frost in the fall.
A comprehensive study on emergency forages was conducted between 2002 and 2004 by
Petersen et al. (2003; 2004a; 2004b) and Undersander (2008). Factors included planting
date (early May, Early June and Early July), crop species (n= 18 treatments), and location
(Pelican Rapids, MN, St. Paul, MN, Arlington, WI, Marshfield, WI and Spooner, WI). Table 1
describes the results of various crop species planted July 1 during 2003 and 2004 at
Arlington, WI.
Dry matter (DM) production ranged from 1.0 to 13.0 Tons DM/A depending upon the
growing season and species (Table 1). Corn for silage was usually among the highest
yielding options for all planting dates and environments. One-cut bmr forage sorghum at
times produced the highest DM yields (especially in southern Wisconsin), but performance
was inconsistent and often failed to reach the target harvest maturity and moisture.
Small grains with or without pea produced low yields when planted July 1. Other studies
also confirm this observation. Maloney et al. (1999) planted various small grain species
August 18, 1992 and August 12, 1993 and measured yields of 0.3 to 1.8 T DM/A.
However, Contreras-Govea and Albrecht (2006) measure average oat yields of 3.0 T DM/A
when planted August 7and 9, 2001 at Arlington and Lancaster, WI.
Table 1. Dry matter yield (T DM/A) of various crops planted on July 1 at Arlington
during 2003 and 2004. Data derived from Peterson et al. (2004b) and Undersander
(2008).
Crop
2003
Corn
7.6-9.0
2004
---
BMR Sorghum
9.4
13.0
Barley
1.2
2.0
Barley/Pea
2.0
2.0
Oat/Pea
2.3
2.8
Sudangrass
3.1
3.5
Sorghum x Sudangrass
4.6
---
Japanese Millet
3.6
4.1
Hybrid Pearl Millet
4.4
3.0
Siberian Foxtail Millet
2.9
1.8
Golden German Millet
2.6
2.1
Alfalfa
1.0
1.0
LSD (0.05-0.10)
0.8
0.8
In another study, Lauer et al., (2005, 2006) produced yields of 5.3-8.6 T DM/A on July 1
planting dates (Table 2). Yield decreased as planting dates were delayed to August 1,
however, yields were still greater than many species planted July 1 in the Peterson et al.
(2004b) and Undersander (2008) studies (Table 1). In 2005, the August 1 planting date
produced 2.1-3.4 T DM/A. Full-season hybrids produced the greatest dry matter yield and
Milk per acre when planted during July (data not shown). No significant interaction among
corn hybrid types was measured for Milk per Ton, although brown midrib hybrids tended
to produce the best quality.
Table 2. Dry matter yield (Tons DM/A) of corn planted near July 1, July 15 and August
1 at Arlington during 2005 and 2006. Data derived from Lauer (2005; 2006).
Planting date
2005
2006
July 1
6.5 - 8.6 5.3 - 6.4
July 15
4.3 - 6.8 3.4 - 3.7
August 1
2.1- 3.4 0.6 - 0.8
LSD (0.10)
1.1
0.4
Corn can produce significant dry matter yield when planted during July, but the amount
produced depends upon when a fall killing frost occurs. Forage quality will be similar to
other grass species. Maturities should be long enough so that flowering occurs when a
killing frost occurs to take advantage of the first forage quality peak (see Figure 1 in
another blog).
A negative for double-cropping corn is seed expense. There may be options for obtaining
inexpensive seed from seed companies. There is no guarantee that drought will
be relieved enough to germinate and allow for production.
Growers need to check on options available from their insurance companies before taking
action and planting corn in late June and July for emergency forage. Herbicide labels
must be adhered to before switching to other crops. A small amount of fertilizer may be
justified in late-planted areas.
Literature Cited
Contreras-Govea, F.E., and K.A. Albrecht. 2006. Forage Production And Nutritive Value Of
Oat In Autumn And Early Summer. Crop Sci. 46:2382-2386.
Lauer, J., K. Kohn, and P. Flannery. 2005. Date of Planting and Hybrid Influence on Corn
Forage. In Studies on cultural practices and management systems for corn. Wisconsin
Research Report, Department of Agronomy, p. 110-111.
Lauer, J., K. Kohn, and P. Flannery. 2006. Date of Planting and Hybrid Influence on Corn
Forage. In Studies on cultural practices and management systems for corn. Wisconsin
Research Report, Department of Agronomy, p. 90-91.
Maloney, T.S., E.S. Oplinger, and K.A. Albrecht. 1999. Small grains for fall and spring
forage. J. Prod. Agric. 12:488-494.
Mitchell, V.L., and R.W. Larsen. 1981. Growing degree days for corn in Wisconsin. UWEX
Geological and Natural History Survey. 22 pp.
Peterson, P., M. Endres, D. Holen, C. Sheaffer, V. Crary, D. Swanson, J. Larson, and J.
Halgerson. 2003. Emergency forage plantings. Research progress report.
Peterson, P., D. Undersander, M. Endres, D. Holen, K. Silveira, M. Bertram, P. Holman, D.
Swanson, J. Halgerson, J. Larson, V. Crary, and C. Sheaffer. 2004a. How emergency
forage crops grew in 2003. Research progress report.
Peterson, P., D. Undersander, M. Bertram, P. Holman, D. Holen, V. Crary, M.
Endres, and C. Sheaffer. 2004b. Emergency forage options for July planting. Research
progress report.
Undersander, D. 2008. Emergency forages. UWEX Research Summary. 3 pp.
Further Reading
Coblentz, W.K., M.G. Bertram, and N.P. Martin. 2011. Planting Date Effects On Fall
Forage Production Of Oat Cultivars In Wisconsin. Agron. J. 103:145-155.
Coblentz, W.K., M.G. Bertram, N.P. Martin, and P. Berzaghi. 2012. Planting Date Effects
On The Nutritive Value Of Fall-grown Oat Cultivars. Agron. J. 104:312-323.
Lauer, J. 2008. Planting corn in June and July! - What can you expect? Agronomy Advice.
June 2008 Field Crops 28.421-57.