What I know about the corn today

What I know about the corn today:   Too many consecutive days of 100 degree temperatures and higher has come at the most inopportune time. Pollination has been compromised throughout the corn belt.  I know that not every stalk will have an ear, that not all the grain embryos will develop, that there will be fewer rows of corn on the ear, that the grains will be smaller and lighter, and that there will be record or near record of non harvested acres. 
   It had seemed in early spring that things were going well.  As the year progressed stands of plants went from even to uneven as plants were competing for moisture.  The corn is much shorter this year as many days were spent with leaves rolled up.  The corn plant needs to thrive to produce a "factory" to convert rain and sunlight into grain.  If this "factory" isn't well built neither will its production capability.
   What I don't know about the corn today:  If conditions continue to get worse or improve.  Although some acres are beyond help many will still get some relief from rain and mild temps.
   I also know that this has and will continue to hurt the economy as farm income is drastically reduced as well as industries dependant on agriculture.  The most obvious are ethanol plants,livestock production, and solving world hunger as we will have less to share and higher prices.
   My corn has shed most of the pollen and I hope for the best.  I had decided not to treat for insects as the numbers did not get to Integrated Pest Management levels for treatment.  My soybeans look surprisingly good and flowering now.  Where corn only has a few days to pollinate soybeans use weeks.  If dryness continues they will drop their pods.
                                                        Serving Together, Dean