Success StoryCorn with Missing Ears 2018



Corn with Missing Ears 2018

Author: Chad Lee

Planning Unit: Plant and Soil Sciences

Major Program: Grain Crops

Outcome: Initial Outcome

A farmer and seed dealer asked Boyle County ANR Extension Agent, Jerry Little and grain specialist, Dr. Chad Lee, to look at a commercial cornfield because of problems they were seeing with a particular hybrid they were considering putting in their variety line up to sell next year. The corn hybrid was missing ears on several of the plants in the field. We dug and looked at roots, cut stalks for examination, and we looked at healthy plants as well. Preliminary results showed that the plants missing ears had a fungus on them. We sent samples to the plant disease diagnostic lab in Lexington to confirm the disease. This particular hybrid had not been shown to have susceptibility to this disease before. We helped that farmer and their company identify the problem and update their hybrid information for growers the following season.

Outcomes: Now that farmers can manage for that known disease, on 10,000 acres, they would improve the yield by 40 bushels per acre, and at $3.00 per bushel that is a $1.2 million dollar increase in farm gate receipts.






Stories by Chad Lee


Discussing Sustainability with the Kentucky Distilleries Association

about 1 years ago by Chad Lee

The Kentucky Distillery Association has a leadership group comprised of members from various distill... Read More


Assessing Hail Damage in Corn

about 1 years ago by Chad Lee

Several corn fields in central Kentucky were damaged by hail storms in 2023. I visited fields, and r... Read More


Stories by Plant and Soil Sciences


2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short Course Creates over $50,000 in Additional Profits

2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short Course Creates over $50,000 in Additional Profits

about 1 years ago by Jimmy Henning

2022 Kentucky Backgrounding Short CourseJeff Lehmkuhler, Katie VanValin, Michelle Arnold, Jimmy Henn... Read More


Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

about 1 years ago by Jimmy Henning

UK Specialist/Agent/Industry Partnership Results in successful hay day at the Robinson Center for Ap... Read More