Frost Damage on Corn

Thursday afternoon I went out to the farm to spray a corn field I did not have any herbicide on yet. I was surprised when I saw the corn field as I drove up dad's driveway. I did not think it got that cold! I was more worried about the soybeans that were up, but they were fine, as were the peas. Soybeans and peas can tolerate slightly lower temperatures than corn can without being burned by frost.

This corn should recover quickly with warm sunshine and no impact on yield. A number of years ago I was hit with a hail storm when the corn had just emerged. The hail adjuster came out and said I did not have any damage. For a couple of weeks after corn emerges, the growing point is underground and protected. The corn grew back and was just fine. The frost did not even kill all of the plant tissue above the ground. I did not want to add any more stress to the corn with a herbicide, so I though waiting for a couple of days would be best.