We’re smack dab in the middle of the growing season, and if you’re like me, your eyes are on every field edge and weather app, watching for what’s next. It’s too late to fix a rough start, but it’s not too late to finish strong… and it’s sure not too early to take stock of what’s working.
Here are five things I’m paying close attention to right now to help corn hit the endzone come harvest.
1. Walk Your Fields — and Listen to Them
There’s no app that beats boots on the ground. I walk fields every week, looking for color, uniformity, insect pressure and plant spacing. I also take note of what I don’t see: skips, stunting, or uneven emergence. Nine times out of ten, the uniformity you need starts with a solid seed treatment. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the best defense is one that gets out ahead of the problem — and seed treatments are that defense. If things are looking patchy now, ask yourself whether your seed had the backup it needed at planting.
2. Scout Smart for Pests and Disease
Now’s the time pests and pathogens are getting bolder. Watch for rootworm, cutworm, armyworm: whatever your geography’s prone to. Same goes for disease: gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and others are creeping in. Seed-applied protection plays a role early, but mid-season scouting and smart fungicide decisions make a difference now. Look at what’s brewing and decide fast. This is where yield is won or lost.
3. Don’t Underestimate Plant Health
I’ve seen time and again that healthier plants withstand stress better. Nutrient deficiencies, heat, too much or too little moisture all add up. The benefits of effective seed treatment don’t only show up at the start of the season: if you chose your seed well, the seed treatment will still be paying dividends in root development and overall stand health. I like to say it’s like putting a Super Bowl O-line in front of your crop. You might not see the work they’re doing every play, but they’re keeping the rest of the offense on its feet.
4. Pull Roots and Pull Data
Mid-season is the perfect time to dig — literally. Pull plants and check roots for nodal development and any signs of damage. Are you seeing healthy, white roots and even brace roots? That’s your sign the foundation was solid. Pair that with tissue tests, drone imagery, and NDVI maps where possible. Data helps you finish smarter and prep better for next season.
5. Take Notes for Next Year Now
I know it’s tempting to just keep moving, but jot down what’s working and what isn’t. Did you have solid emergence across the board? Were your treated seeds the first ones up and the last ones showing stress? Those are key clues. A premium seed treatment is like crop insurance for the riskiest part of the season. Come next spring, you’ll thank yourself for remembering.
Bottom line: Mid-season’s not just a waiting game — it’s a decision-making game. Decisions that pay off now often started in the seed bag. Here’s to a strong finish!
