Sweet corn’s contribution to New York’s economy is in the neighborhood of $88 million. In fact, our fresh market-sweet corn ranks 4th in the nation. Lump all vegetables crops together, and you’re looking at a contribution on the order of $650 million.
Winter prep can help boost yields. So what should growers be doing nowto prepare for next year?
- Update their weed maps
- Spot-treat perennial weeds
- Plow down residue to reduce insect pests and weeds
- Evaluate IPM practices used this year and make adjustments, as needed, for next year.
- Plant a cover crop to control weeds, slow erosion, trap nutrients, or as fertility-boosting green manures.
Crop rotation is super-important for
- reducing pests, whether insects or weeds
- improving soil health — and ultimately increase yields
Sweet corn is usually used as a rotation for other crops. So after vegetables growers can rotate into sweet corn — or vice versa.
Winter meetings are a great resource for every grower. Whether through workshops or informal networking, you can always learn something new. Coming up in December and in January 2014:
2013 Processing Sweet Corn Advisory Meeting (yes, interested growers can attend) DATE: 12/11/2013 from 10:00 – 11:50 Geneva NY | MORE INFO: http://cvp.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=139
2014 Empire State Producers Expo | DATE: 1/21/14 – 1/23/14 Syracuse, NY | MORE INFO: http://nysvga.org/meeting-registration/