So far, 2010 has been a hard call in the corn fields.  Sub par NH3 applications, tillage, and planting has led to many problems.  This picture illustrates the complicated problems that we have been looking at in area corn fields.  We belive this particular situation is caused by slight anhydrous burn on the seedling roots which slowed early season plant growth.  The surrounding plants however have a healthy root system running 100% intercepting valuable nutrients and water for the young plant. 
Uneven plants as this in corn on corn fields seems to be caused by uneven soil temperatures which has lead to uneven and / or delayed emergence.  I expect the majority of these plants to recover and produce a viable ear of corn at harvest, but obviously we are not looking at 100% yield potential in many of these uneven fields due to the fact that the plants are determining ear size. V5-V8

Compaction is a topic that is talked about every spring and fall, but this time it is more than just being the topic of discussion...it is for real and is visable!  Lack of freeze and thaw cycles, wet and rainy spring, less than ideal anhydrous applications have all led to compaction in many fields this spring.  Basically any spring tillage practice can be tracked from field to field.  Corn is unevn, yellow, and patchy looking and after digging a few plants it doesn't take long to figure out what is going on.  This paticular picture shows hatchet roots or the effect of sidewall compaction at planting.  Plants in this situation will need timley rains throughout the summer to keep them healthy and productive.  If we would turn hot and dry in July, we will probably see these very areas rear their ugly head again this fall.  It is very important that we remember the cause and effect situations on compaction so that we minimize these production errors in the future.

Another view of the narrow road that roots can take when sidewall compaction keeps them from branching out for key nutrients and water for optimum yield.