In early July 2023 Chelsea Sapp asked me to visit several corn fields in southern Marion County. I met with the farm manager and we proceed through three corn fields that all exhibited similar problems, though with different patterns of symptom expression. The complex of symptom expression was potassium deficiency and late crop emergence. As we walked, we discussed the various causes for each symptom and, finally, causes that were associated with their coincidence. Prior soil erosion/clayey texture, lower soil test K and insufficient planter row down pressure, taken together, were deemed most likely causes. The farm manager suggested soil sampling more often and in a more spatially intense pattern and I agreed. Later he told me that he changed out all the unit down pressure springs on the planter. No similar problems were observed in 2024.