"The advantage is if you have a hail event, droughted silking or a wind event, not all that crop is at the same growth stage at that moment," Elmore says.
But, there are potential drawbacks, too. The biggest one has to do with applying herbicide, something that could be a major topic this year with many expectations for stronger-than-normal weed pressure. The crop's likely developmental variability will put an even greater premium on good crop scouting than normal, Elmore says.
"When you're out there scouting for herbicide applications, you've got to recognize that you could have up to 3- to 4-leaf growth stages between one field and the next," he says. "That makes a huge difference in the way that herbicides affect the plants. So, be very aware when you're out there to check the stages of growth."
