This picture comes from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. This very healthy looking corn is starting to form its tassels. The tassel stage of corn growth is crucial to its yield potential. Areas of the Corn Belt that acquired normal amounts of rain, and that did not flood are well ahead of historical corn crops here in July. Here is more information on corn tassels from the University of Wisconsin:

Grain yield in corn is comprised of the components: ears per unit area, kernel number per ear consisting of kernel rows and kernels per row, and kernel weight. Each of these yield components is determined at different stages in the lifecycle of the plant. The tasseling, silking, and pollination stages of corn development are extremely critical because the yield components of ear and kernel number can no longer be increased by the plant and the potential size of the kernel is being determined.

Remember, we are always looking for more agricultural pictures from anywhere in the world. Submit pictures to farmlandforecast@colvin-co.com.