Late Corn Planting Options


  • Late corn planting shortens the growing season, which may cause growers to consider switching to an earlier-maturing corn product.
  • The decision to switch to an earlier-maturing corn product can be difficult due to variations in growing seasons relative to available growing degree units, first fall frost dates, and fall drying conditions.

Delays and the Subsequent Growing Season

Corn planting may be delayed due to a number of factors, but it is often a result of unfavorable weather conditions. Heavy precipitation may lead to planting into wet soils (Figure 1), which can cause uneven stand establishment, poor root development, and sidewall compaction. Delayed planting can also cause a shift in insect and disease pressure, which may result in earlier pesticide application timing. Yield potential for late-planted corn can vary greatly depending on the growing season that follows.



Growing Season Length

Corn growth and development can be measured by calculating the number of growing degree units (GDUs) the crop has accumulated. GDUs are calculated by averaging the daily high (Tmax) and low (Tmin) temperatures minus the base temperature (Tbase), which is set at 50 °F for corn development. Tmax and Tmin are limited to 86 °F and 50 °F, respectively, as the maximum corn growth rate is reached at 86 °F and minimum, if any, corn growth occurs below 50 °F. Daily GDU accumulation can be calculated with the following formula: GDU = ((Tmax + Tmin)/2) - Tbase.1 For example:

  • Tmax = 84 ˚F and Tmin = 53 ˚F ((84 + 53)/2) - 50 = 18.5 GDUs
  • Tmax = 90 ˚F and Tmin = 65 ˚F ((86 + 65)/2) - 50 = 25.5 GDUs
  • Tmax = 83 ˚F and Tmin = 48 ˚F ((83 + 50)/2) - 50 = 16.5 GDUs

The approximate number of GDUs accumulated by the crop can be estimated to help determine crop growth stage (Table 1).


Figure 1. A flooded field delaying corn planting.


Maturity and GDU Accumulation

GDU accumulation required for corn development varies with corn product maturity (Table 2). In general, products that require most of the growing season to mature have higher yield potential. However, if the growing season is shortened due to delayed planting, an earlier maturing product may be needed to avoid having immature grain at the end of the season.

When to Switch Maturities

Careful consideration of several factors should be given prior to switching to an earlier product, including:

  • Full-season corn products for a given area typically have the highest yield potential.
  • Daily GDU accumulation is minimal during the planting season when compared to flowering and drydown periods.
  • As planting is delayed, corn product maturities move closer together.
  • A primary reason for switching to an earlier-maturing corn product is not due to increasing yield potential, but to reduce the risk of immature and wet grain in the fall.

Deciding to plant an earlier-maturing corn product may depend on corn grain prices and grain drying costs.2 With high grain prices and low drying costs, planting an earlier-maturing corn product may not be necessary due to the possible reduction in yield potential. Often, the increased yield potential of full-season corn products can outweigh the costs of drying in the fall. The intended use for the corn crop can also impact maturity selection. If the corn is being planted for silage or high moisture grain, then the cutoff date to plant an earlier maturing corn product can be later than the cutoff date for corn grain.

Historical GDU accumulation data can help estimate how many potential GDUs remain in the growing season. This information can help with deciding what maturity to plant and whether or not the corn product should mature before a killing frost (Figure 2). Switching to an earlier-maturing product should only be considered when there is concern with not having enough GDUs left in the growing season.

Managing Late-Planted Corn

Once corn planting is delayed, the yield potential of the crop varies with the rest of the growing season. Insect pressure, especially from late generations of European corn borer, corn ear worm, and fall armyworm, can significantly damage a late-planted corn crop. Planting a B.t. corn product can greatly reduce this risk.3 Plant population should reflect the yield expectation and it is important to be very timely with fertilizer applications and weed control as a late-planted corn crop will accumulate heat units faster than an earlier-planted corn crop.

Delayed corn planting may also increase the chance of heat and drought stress during the critical water-use periods (two weeks prior to silking and during pollination). Planting corn products that range in GDU requirements for flowering and physiological maturity can help reduce the chance that the whole corn crop flowers during a period of high heat or is damaged by frost later in the season (Figure 3). Earlier flowering products within the same maturity may be available to help reduce damage from an early frost.

For more information about historical GDU data and planting recommendations, contact your local agronomist or county Extension office.


Figure 2. Estimated normal growing degree days.



Figure 3. Median first frost (32 °F) dates for the continental United States.Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Median first 32 deg F temperature in autumn.

Source: Neild, R.E. and Newman, J.E. 1990. Growing Season Characteristics and Requirements in the Corn Belt. Purdue University Extension. National Corn Handbook, NCH-40.

    Sources: 1 Elmore, R. and Mueller, N. 2015. Growing degree units and corn emergence. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 2 Corn Agronomy. 2014. Corn late-planting. University of Wisconsin. 3 Heiniger, R. 2004. Management for late planted corn. North Carolina State University. Web sources verified 04/12/18. 160502132006