Information Resources for Flood-Damaged Field Crops

xcessive rainfall occasionally causes widespread severe flooding or ponding of major agronomic crops in the U.S. Midwest, most recently in 1993 and 2008. However, more limited flooding or ponding damage occurs somewhere almost every year. Because of the infrequent occurrence of such crop damage from flooding, ponding, or saturated soils; growers and their consultants often have little experience in assessing crop recovery or identifying economically viable crop management decisions in the aftermath of the damage.

This Web site offers a compilation of flood-related crop management information written by crop experts from throughout the Corn Belt. The articles are organized by subject area. You can either scroll down the page to locate an area of interest or click on the list below.

Assessing crop damage
Crop insurance
Disease management
Forage management
Harvest issues
Insect management
Late planting & replanting concerns
Miscellaneous
Nitrogen loss
Weed management

Because this page may be updated frequently in years when flooding is an issue, please "refresh" or "reload" your Web browser to force an update to the most current version.

When in doubt about the applicability of the information to your geographic area of the country, please contact the author(s) of the articles or consult with your own Univ Extension specialists.

These links were last verified April 2011. The dates in parentheses following the publication titles refer to the year of publication. Please send comments or dead link alerts to R.L. (Bob) Nielsen (rnielsen at purdue.edu).

Assessing Flood Damage to Soybean (2010): Shawn Conley & Paul Esker, Univ. of Wisconsin; Grover Shannon, Univ of Missouri
Assessing Hail Injury in Corn (2008): Roger Elmore & Lori Abendroth, Iowa State Univ.
Considerations for Flooded Corn and Soybean (2008): Jeff Coulter, Seth Naeve, and Dean Malvick; Univ. of Minnesota
Death by Drowning (2010): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ
Effect of Flooding on Emerged Soybeans (2008): Palle Pedersen, Iowa State Univ.
Effects of Flooding or Ponding on Young Corn (2010): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
Evaluating Flood Damage in Corn (2007): Chad Lee, James Herbek, Greg Schwab, and Lloyd Murdock; Univ. of Kentucky
Flood Damage to Corn Near Pollination or Beyond (2009): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
Flooded Corn and Saturated Soils (2008): Roger Elmore & Lori Abendroth, Iowa State Univ.
Flooded Fields and Soybean Survival (2004): Seth Naeve, Univ. of Minnesota
Flooded Soybeans Near Harvest (2006): Chad Lee & Jim Herbek, Univ of Kentucky
Flooding Impacts on Corn Growth and Yield (2008): Joe Lauer, Univ. of Wisconsin
Managing corn and soybean fields submerged by recent heavy rains (2008): Kurt Thelen, Michigan State Univ.
Recovery From Hail Damage to Young Corn (2008): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.

Crop Insurance Impacts from Recent Flooding (2010): Paul Burgener, Univ. of Nebraska
Crop Insurance May Help Flooded and Wet Corn and Soybean Acres (2008): William Edwards, Iowa State Univ.
Crop Insurance offers aid to farmers with flooded crops (2010): Purdue/Ohio State AgAnswers
Disaster Assistance for Uninsured Farmers Affected by Recent Flooding (2008): Paul D. Mitchell, Univ. of Wisconsin
Economic Impact of Delayed and Prevented Planting (2008): William Edwards, Iowa State Univ.
Late Planting and Crop Insurance Decisions (2008): Gary Schnitkey, Univ. of Illinois
Practical Recommendations for Farmers Filing Late and Prevented Planting or Replant Claims: How to Work with Your Agent and Insurance Company (2008): Paul D. Mitchell, Univ. of Wisconsin
Replant Provisions and Late & Prevented Planting for Insured Crops (2008): Paul D. Mitchell, Univ. of Wisconsin

Crazy Top in Corn (2008): Laura Sweets, Univ. of Missouri
Disease Management in a Flooding Season (2008): XB Yang, Iowa State Univ.
Disease Risks for Water- and Wind-Damaged Corn (2008): Greg Shaner, Purdue Univ.
Flooding Increases the Risk of Certain Diseases in Corn (2008): Alison Robertson, Iowa State Univ.
Fungicide Use in Corn After Hail Events and Prior to Tasseling (2010): Tamra Jackson, Univ of Nebraska
Pummeled Corn Vulnerable to Disease Development (2010): Tamra Jackson, Univ of Nebraska
Seed Decay and Seedling Blights of Corn (2011): Laura Sweets, Univ of Missouri
Soybean Replanting and Fungicide Treatments (2008): XB Yang, Iowa State Univ.

Forage and Cover Crop Considerations for Delayed Planting and Flooded Sites (2008): Stephen K. Barnhart, Iowa State Univ.
Hayfield Lodging – Management Concerns and Guidelines (2008): Stephen K. Barnhart and Mark Hanna, Iowa State Univ.
Rainfall has Affected Hay and Hay-Crop Silage Harvest (2008): Stephen K. Barnhart, Iowa State Univ.
Summer Flooding of Hay Fields and Pastures (2008): Stephen K. Barnhart, Iowa State Univ.

Isolate Flooded Soybeans When Harvesting (2010): Seth Naeve, Univ of Minnesota
Fall Flooding Damage to Soybean (2011): Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l
Flood or Moisture Damage to Corn (2011): Ron Heiniger, North Carolina St. Univ
Flooded Soybeans Near Harvest (2006): Chad Lee, Jim Herbek, Don Hershman, & Sam McNeil; Univ of Kentucky
Harvesting Flood-damaged Corn for Grain or Silage (2006): Chad Lee & Jim Herbek, Univ of Kentucky
Managing Flood-Damaged Crops (2011): Sid Bosworth & Dennis Kauppila, Univ of Vermont
Managing Flood-damaged Crops (2011): Penn St. Crop Management Group, Penn. St. Univ.
Storing Flood-damaged Soybean and Corn (2006): Sam McNeil, Univ of Kentucky

Replanting Corn and Rootworm Control Restrictions (2008): John Obermeyer and Larry Bledsoe, Purdue Univ.
Should a Rootworm Soil Insecticide Be Used on Late Planted or Replanted Corn? (2008): John Obermeyer and Larry Bledsoe, Purdue Univ.
Standing Water, Corn Rootworm Survival, and Insecticide Performance (2008): Mike Gray, Univ. of Illinois

Corn Planting Date is Important, but... (2011): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
Estimating Yield and Dollar Returns From Corn Replanting (2003): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
Grain Sorghum Considerations for Late Planting in Southern Indiana (2008): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
Heavy Rains and Flooding Equal Delayed Soybean Planting (2008): Ellsworth Christmas, Purdue Univ.
How Late Can Soybeans be Planted? (2008): Palle Pedersen, Iowa State Univ.
Is It Time to Switch Soybean Maturity Group Varieties? (2008): Palle Pedersen, Iowa State Univ.
Planting Corn in June and July! – What can you expect? (2008): Joe Lauer, Univ. of Wisconsin
Planting Delays and Switching to Soybeans: A New FAST Spreadsheet (2011): Gary Schnitkey and Ryan Batts, Univ of Illinois; RLN's editorial note: This handy Excel spreadsheet offers some assistance in making an economic decision whether to switch from corn to soybean with delayed planting. However, recognize that your choice of yield, grain price, and production costs are critically important to whether the predicted economic results will be close to accurate. My advice: Do not simply use the spreadsheet's default values, but thoughtfully input your own values. Also, recognize you are limited to selecting geographic areas only within Illinois, so non-Illini farmers should exercise caution with the use of this tool.
Replant Considerations for Flooded Corn (2008): Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
Replanting To Forages after Bad Weather (2008): Bruce Anderson, Univ. of Nebraska
Soybean Replant Decisions from Hail Damage and Flooded Fields (2008): Palle Pedersen, Iowa State Univ.
The Corn Growers Field Guide for Evaluating Crop Damage and Replant Options: Dale Hicks and Seth Naeve, Univ. of Minnesota
The Soybean Growers Field Guide For Evaluating Crop Damage And Replant Options: Dale Hicks and Seth Naeve, Univ. of Minnesota
Tillage Considerations for Delayed Planting of Corn in a Wet Spring (2011): Tony Vyn, Purdue Univ.
Tillage: Think Seedbed and Rooting Zone (2011): Emerson Nafziger, Univ. of Illinois
Tillage System Choices for June Planting or Replanting after Flooding (2008): Tony Vyn, Purdue Univ.
Wet Conditions and Delayed Corn Planting (2011): Greg Roth, Pennsylvania State Univ.

Impact of Flooding on Organic Food and Fields: Jim Riddle, Univ. of Minnesota
Managing Flooded Grain Bins (2010): eXtension.org
Salvaging Flood-damaged Agricultural Buildings (2010): eXtension.org
Livestock and Farm Buildings After a Flood (2008): Jay Harmon, Iowa State Univ.
Managing Flooded Grain Bins (2007): Bill Wilcke, Univ. of Minnesota
Managing Manure Storage Structures During Wet Weather (2008): Robert Burns, Iowa State Univ.
Recommendations for Marketing Flood Damaged Grain Crops: Greg Roth, Penn. State Univ. and John Breitsman, Pennsylvania Dept Ag.

Assessing Nitrogen Loss Due to Saturated Soils (2008): Richard Ferguson, Univ. of Nebraska
Applying Additional Nitrogen After Wet Conditions (2010): John Sawyer, Iowa State Univ
Chlorophyll Meter N Test Resources (2008): Doug Beegle, Penn. State Univ.
Estimating Nitrogen Losses from Wet Soils (2011): Larry Murdock, Univ Kentucky
Estimating Nitrogen Losses (2010): John Sawyer, Iowa State Univ.
"Late" Applications of Nitrogen to Corn (2010): Peter Thomison & Robert Mullen, Ohio State Univ.
Measuring the Nitrogen Status (2008): John Sawyer, Iowa State Univ.
Nitrogen Loss in Wet and Wetter Fields (2008): Jim Camberato, Brad Joern, & Bob Nielsen; Purdue Univ.
Nitrogen Loss – How Does it Happen? (2008): John Sawyer, Iowa State Univ.
Rainfall and Nitrogen Loss from Anhydrous Ammonia, Should You Be Concerned? (2011): Robert Mullen & Ed Lentz, Ohio State Univ.
Nitrogen Loss Scoresheet (2008): Peter Scharf, Univ. of Missouri
Potential for Nitrogen Loss from Heavy Rainfalls (2008): Carrie Laboski, Univ. of Wisconsin
Soil Sampling for Assessing Plant Available N Following Excessive Rain or Flooding (2010): Jim Camberato & Bob Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
Supplemental Nitrogen Worksheet for Corn (1992): Univ. of Minnesota
Unknown Soil N Losses: What To Do? (2010): Univ of Nebraska
Wet May — Nitrogen Loss — PSNT (2008): Doug Beegle, Penn. State Univ.
Yellow Corn, Wet Soils and N Loss (2008): John Sawyer, Iowa State Univ.

Big Corn and Big Weeds (2010): Bill Johnson and Glenn Nice, Purdue Univ
Considerations for Postemergence Herbicide Applications in Corn (2008): Aaron Hager, Univ. of Illinois
Considerations for Replanting Soybean in Drowned Out Corn Fields (2008): Bill Johnson and Glenn Nice, Purdue Univ.
Corn Size Restriction for POST Herbicides (2008): Mike Owen and Bob Hartzler, Iowa State Univ.
Early postemergence considerations for corn (2008): Mark Loux, Ohio State Univ.
Herbicides, Rain, and Replanting (2008): Chris Boerboom, Univ. of Wisconsin
Herbicide Issues in Flood Damaged Corn Fields (2010): Jim Martin & J.D. Green, Univ. of Kentucky
Limits for Postemergence Corn Herbicides (2008): Chris Boerboom, Univ. of Wisconsin
Methods to Control Volunteer Roundup Ready or Glyphosate- Tolerant Corn in a Corn Replant Situation (2010): Bill Johnson and Glenn Nice, Purdue Univ.
Post—Emergence Herbicide Application Timing in Corn (2008): Bill Curran, Penn. State Univ.
Replant Options in Corn Fields (2008): Mike Owen, Iowa State Univ.
Replanting Corn – How Do You Get Rid of the Existing Stand? (2008): Mike Owen, Iowa State Univ.
Wet Conditions Create Weed Management Challenges in Corn (2011): Jim Martin & J.D. Green, Univ. of Kentucky

Information Resources for Flood-Damaged Field Crops

Assessing crop damage

Crop insurance

Disease management

Forage management

Harvest issues

Insect management

Late planting & replanting concerns

Miscellaneous

Nitrogen loss

Weed management