Why is there so much standing dead corn around Dallas right now it almost looks like they killed it with spray

Question

I asked this question because someone told me it was being killed for ethanol, which makes no sense at all. This corn is not mature, no tassels, no ears either. It isn't just dead it is totally brown, looks like if you tossed a match to it the whole field would go up in a blaze in seconds. I have seen this with many fields around here from up around Frisco and Plano all the way down to Arlington and Mansfield (that is 50 miles apart). It has been a bit dry for the past month but not that bad. The stuff looks like it was sprayed with agent orange or something. I remember when we used to let some corn stand over winter for game cover, this looks like that did after being dead all winter. I can't find anything about this online, anyone know what is going on?

Answer 1

I'm not sure whats going on with the corn in your area. I'm around Houston and people are just starting to harvest their corn crops. All of the feilds around here look like they have been sprayed with something also. But, the farmers have just let the stalks and ears dry out. The majority of it is going to be used for livestock feed.

Try calling your local ag office and just ask them whats going on. Or if you go to a farmers market they should know also.  

Answer 2

corn should have been harvested a month ago

maybe these are the harvested plants and the farmers have not burned them yet  because of drought/ban on outdoor burning until sufficient rain

Answer 3

If corn is to be used for feed or meal, not sweet corn, it is allowed to dry in the field before being harvested. It will be totally dry when harvested.  Sweet corn is generally picked while just ripe and soft, field corn is allowed to dry and then harvested with a combine.  Field corn can be eaten like sweet corn, but must be picked when just ripe.