Corn School: Still Standing — Lessons From Spring Corn Harvest

In this episode of Corn School, Peter Johnson explains why more Ontario growers are leaving their corn in the field through winter and into a spring harvest. By allowing the stalks to stand, moisture levels fall from roughly 17 % after thaw to 13‑14 % by early summer, eliminating the need for expensive dryer fuel. Johnson estimates the savings can reach a dollar per bushel, a significant margin when fuel prices are high. The practice also leverages natural weather to achieve the same drying results that traditionally required mechanical drying. The upside isn’t without trade‑offs.

Snow‑laden fields can crush stalks, creating pockets of near‑total yield loss where the melt weight pushes cobs into the soil. Wildlife—birds, raccoons, turkeys, even rodents—can also damage kernels, reducing grain quality. Additionally, standing corn can become volunteer corn in subsequent soybean rotations; group‑one FOPs lose efficacy on mature plants, forcing growers to rely on DIMMs for control. These risks are especially pronounced in the snow belt of southern Ontario compared with the drier southwest regions.

Johnson offers practical mitigation strategies. Leaving a four‑row strip on the windward side acts as a natural snow fence, diverting drift and protecting the bulk of the crop from lodging. Position the fence rows on the north or west side, depending on prevailing winds, and combine the remaining rows with a header width that avoids over‑loading the protected zone. Early scouting for volunteer corn and timely herbicide applications further safeguard the next crop. By integrating these simple adjustments, growers can reap the cost benefits of standing corn while minimizing yield and quality penalties.