What happens if planting of corn is delayed by a week?

When planting corn is delayed by a week, it is essential to consider the growing degree days (GDD) and the heat units required for different corn hybrids to reach maturity. Corn hybrids are often categorized based on their maturity, which is indicated by their corn heat units (CHU).

Delaying planting affects the crop's development and the amount of accumulated heat units it will receive. If planting occurs later in the season, the growing conditions may not be as favorable, particularly in areas with shorter growing seasons. To compensate for this delay, a strategy often employed is to reduce the hybrid maturity rating by approximately 100 CHU. This adjustment helps to select hybrids that can mature in the limited time available before the potential for frost or adverse weather conditions at the end of the growing season.

This choice aligns with the need to ensure that the corn can successfully reach maturity, maximizing yield potential while minimizing the risk of crop failure due to insufficient heat accumulation. Therefore, selecting a shorter-season hybrid can help ensure that farmers still achieve profitable yields even with planting delays.