Herbicides are increasingly applied postemergence (POST) in corn for season-long control of weeds. Fields should be scouted prior to POST herbicide applications to accurately determine the growth stage of corn and weeds. Herbicide product labels need to be followed according to the corn growth stage and other recommendations for POST applications. Environmental conditions should also be considered relating to how they may affect herbicide applications, efficacy, and crop safety.

Early assessment of corn and soybean stands can help identify potential crop concerns early in the season. Once seedlings emerge, stand counts and visual inspection of the plants can help to identify problems from planting, insects, and/or diseases. 

Late planting of corn can occur every year due to various delays. Usually, the delay is caused by weather and most of the time it is the result of precipitation, either too much or not enough. Occasionally other factors, like replacing a failed stand with corn or replanting corn due to a poor stand, lead to later than planned planting.