Corn Pollination Running Three Weeks Late in Midwest

(WESTMINSTER, CO) Pollination is the most critical phase of development for determining corn yields. Corn pollination (or silking) is underway across the Delta and Southeast and will eventually expand into the Midwest in the coming weeks. According to Maxar WeatherDesk, pollination is expected to occur much later than normal this year due to the record planting delays this spring. Nationally, corn pollination reaches the halfway point in mid-July. This year, however, it’s expected nationally to reach 50 percent completed on July 27, ten days later than the five-year average and 15 days later than last year. The most significant delays are expected across the eastern Midwest, where pollination is expected to occur three weeks late. The delayed development of the corn crop in the eastern Midwest will push pollination into early August, a drier time of the summer in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.