remains a mystery. If it was related to #4 (southern rust infection) it still doesn’t answer why cut this way….maybe it prevents spread? But I’ve seen intact corn fields right next to the cut ones. Maybe those were treated….maybe its just a coincidence that this field has the fungus. next time I see such a thing, I’ll see if I can identify the fungal infection.
#2 seems to have the most legs so far, but I’d like more solid confirmation rather than speculation. If it is to dry faster, I’m not sure why not do it to more fields. Its a relatively rare event.
I’m currently in email conversation with yyyy county Extension ,
I’ve placed three conversations in relevant social media platforms,
I’ve called the company that (I think) owns the field (but may not).
I’ve contacted the state corn growers association
All the answers are “Huh, I don’t know.” Or “The fields are detasseled in the spring to control pollination.” Even though the pictures are showing something different than detasseling….its in late summer and it’s the entire field down to 3 ft.
@Sigene: Have you overflown the fields with a drone to check for evidence of alien crop circles? Maybe they just shaved the top of a couple of fields for fun, and left their real marks out in the middle where they can only be seen from above.
I got a bit of an answer from a local extension person who related this information from a local university corn specialist. 3 possibilities for ‘detopping’ after silking.
If the grower is a dairy producer as well, they may want to use corn for dual purposes and in this case, they can use the top stalk and leaves (low lignin, higher digestibility) to feed the livestock and then let the ears mature to black layer and eventually harvest it for grain. This practice is not very common in North America but a lot of small-scale farmers in South Asia (especially India and Nepal) practice this. It works for them because most of them are doing subsistence agriculture and not aiming to sell in the bigger markets. It might be possible that the grower is interested in looking at this practice, but I am not sure if that is the case.
In case of a consistently wet year and in a field with heavy soils the corn may grow very tall making it prone to lodging. The grower may opt for cutting the tops off to prevent plants from tipping off in event of torrential rain or storm.
The third reason is very uncommon, but this practice may be done in order to recover from a hail event or wind damage event.
