Question for the corn guys.

[Aaron]

Why is it you see some pictures with fields of harvest ready corn with ears upright and some with ears hanging down?

 

[herefordlover]

Could be any thing from stock rot to just the varity of corn

 

[skyhightree1]

I know a lot of older guys that say when its hanging down pointing to the ground its ready to harvest.

 

[pricefarm]

When the ears are down then it's either ready or getting pretty close to be getting ready to harvest. Meaning that the moisture level in the corn is getting low enough that it will keep

 

[M5farm]

When the ears are down then it's either ready or getting pretty close to be getting ready to harvest. Meaning that the moisture level in the corn is getting low enough that it will keep

yes- Before people had the dryers they would wait till the corn dried in the fields to harvest it. If you ever had to pull a one row puller or pull by hand you would want the ears hanging so they break off the plant easier.

 

[polledbull]

as it drys , turning down is desired to allow the shuck to protect the ear, an ear that does not turn down will allow water to stand in the bottom and cause some rot.

 

[mncowboy]

as it matures, the corn becomes more dense and increases in weight along with the plant cannibalizing on itself to fill the cob. As others have said, its near ready when the ears are hanging.