This picture comes from just off of the Tri-State Turn Pike in Ohio. This corn field doesn’t quite look right. It is missing every fifth row and the corn doesn’t have tassels. The corn has been grown like this because it is seed corn. This corn is being hybridized and will be used for its seeds. Here is an explaination of seed corn from Iowa State University:

Seed corn cultivation involves a sequence of production steps that differs from conventional methods of raising field corn for grain. In the first phase of seed corn production, inbred lines possessing certain traits are raised as parental stock in corn plot nurseries and are usually cultivated under the supervision of crop breeders from seed corn companies. In the second phase, an inbred line is crossed with another inbred line to produce a single-cross hybrid. Most hybrid seed corn sold is made from single-cross hybrids and is produced by growers under contract with seed companies. In some instances, a single-cross hybrid is crossed with another single-cross hybrid to produce double-cross hybrid seed. Each phase requires a separate corn growing cycle and some form of pollination control in the female parent corn plants. This usually involves removal of the tassels to prevent self-pollination.

Remember, we are always looking for more agricultural pictures from anywhere in the world.