Will Corn Hit “Knee High” by the Fourth of July?
Everyone’s heard the old adage about corn: knee high by the Fourth of July. However, in a typical year, farmers can expect to be tasseling or near tassel by Independence Day—what’s changed?
The long and short of it boils down to better genetics, earlier planting and improved management. When the adage was first coined, knee high was a sign of a good crop but changes in technology and practices mean knee high on the Fourth of July is a sign of trouble.
“There are noticeable differences in the way the crop grows,” according to an article by Crop Insurance Solutions. “Farmers can plant earlier because of tougher breeds and new kinds of seeds. Earlier planting means taller corn on July 4th.”
Unfortunately, this year will show many fields not achieving even knee-high status this Independence Day. Wet weather continues to plague the Midwest.
Baby corn is loving the heat, but it definitely won't be knee high by the 4th! #45845views @CarlySmithWX pic.twitter.com/cMccnZlwXq — Amy H. (@AGHoying) July 1, 2019
"Knee high by the 4th"
- 6% (5.4 million acres) still not even visible on June 30. — Luke Swenson (@NDCommodities) July 1, 2019
?➡️ June 29, 2018 VS June 29, 2019 ⬅️?
Last year this time we were WAY over our head in corn , right now we won’t even be knee high by the 4th of July!!
What a difference a wet planting season can make.
These images come from Sturgeon family farms.#Plant19 pic.twitter.com/OmpmRWcY1v — BA Genetics (@ba_genetics) July 1, 2019
Only way this field will have corn knee high by the 4th of July is if I stand the bag of seed upright against my leg #NoPlant19 pic.twitter.com/FwYK9lg59C — Ryan Heiniger (@FarmrHuntr) June 5, 2019
However, some farmers were able to get in early, with crops reaching higher into the sky.
Knee high by the 4th of July! ?. Not looking too shabby! Helping feed the world one kernel at a time. Come farm smart with us @farmers_edge! Happy 4th of July America! #merica #iloveag #redwhiteandblue #ProudToBeAnAmerican ?? pic.twitter.com/CaI9e36USM — Tara Schrock ???? (@Tara_Schrock) July 4, 2018
Bubs says this corn will be knee high to a Basset Hound by the 4th plus a whole lot more???? pic.twitter.com/ejTbKJIXMn — Bill Bruere CCA (@Cornyfarmer) July 2, 2019
Weed free corn and picket fence stands = happy camper. Knee high by the 4th of July won’t be any problem for this @thunder_seed TH7578 VT2P corn. #FirstInTheField pic.twitter.com/qJkgMF2HdC — David Chappellaz (@cndaggie) June 27, 2019
