Some areas in North Dakota and Minnesota have received ample rainfall, while other areas remain dry and are begging for a stray shower. On top of that, August has started out with seasonably cool temperatures. Despite the lack of heat, Pioneer field agronomist Zach Fore says portions north of Highway 2 aren’t too far behind on Growing Degree Units. “We’re right at the five-year average, and that five-year average is at or above the 30-year normal.” The success of a corn crop starts with breeding and genetics. Based at Moorhead, Minnesota, Pioneer Senior Research Manager Dennis Dolan says corn breeding resources have nearly doubled over the past five years. With the increased acreage, there has been a focus on maturity and key traits. “A couple of the bigger ones are brittle snap and Goss’s wilt. We put a lot of effort into characterizing traits important for this area,” says Dolan. Hear more from Dolan in the Pioneer Agronomy Update Facebook video.
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