It is quite profitable to farm corn commercially as it is a high yielding crop. Are you worried when you take into account how to farm corn, all the costs of seeds and fertilizers? You don’t need to worry anymore.
Here, in this article, you will get an insight into how to farm corn. Do you know that maize ranks the third most grown crop in the world? Recently, the prices of maize have been comparatively high; it is going to be quite profitable if you farm it on your site.
Understanding the Genetics of Corn
Maize commonly called corn is a popular fodder in Pakistan and is a fundamental constituent of livestock and poultry industries. If you want to get the best yield, all you need is the right variety of hybrid corn along with the ideal environmental conditions of your region. If you are a fresh market producer and you don’t know much about crop farming. You are on the right site.
Your chosen variety should be the one that matures in time for spring and should possess all the qualities of buyers’ desire. Yellow corn is among the best hybrid. The other factors to be kept in mind before choosing the right variety of sweet corn are standability, strengths of plants, disease and pest tolerance. There is always a risk of lose when you are farming crops on a larger scale. To reduce risk, choose a collection of varieties where everyone should be a high-yielding variety.
Uses of Corn
The corn grains are a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, oils and vitamins. It is also among one of the raw materials for industries. Corn is a constituent in manufacturing starch syrups and flakes etc.
It is a valuable feed grain as well as it is rich in energy and low in fibre content. Maize extensively used as the dominant source of energy in animal feeding and feed formulation.
Ideal Environment for Proper Growth
If you don’t have access to favourable environmental conditions, all your efforts will go in vain; you cannot be able to get the fruits of your labour. So make it sure that you have the ideal conditions. The right soil for crop farming is deep, fertile, airy, light and well-drained.
There should be an optimal mixture of sand, clay and loam. You should also check and maintain the pH of the soil and add lime if needed. Ideal temperature conditions desired for corn crop germination and growth is 21˚C and 32˚C.
Do you know How to do Organic Farming?
Smart Seed Purchase
When farming any crop on a larger scale, the substantial factor that affects choices and decision is the cost of seeds. Don’t just randomly pick any seeds from the market. Moderately do a bit research beforehand.
Find out the research companies offering discounts on various purchases. Choose treated seeds as these offer protection against pests and diseases. Keep in mind the size and uniformity as well.
The Right Time and Method for Sowing
In Pakistan, corn mainly grows in two seasons. The best time for sowing the seeds is either from mid-December to mid-march or Mid May to August. On the other hand, there is a risk associated with crop reduction.
Nearly 40-50 kg/acre seed urges if you are farming corn for fodder purpose. Maintain at least one feet distance and sow the seeds in rows.
Water Requirements
Just keep this critical point in mind that corn is drought-sensitive crop and it cannot endure deficiency of water. So for successful growth and corn farming, you will need periodic watering. You can keep 10 to 15 days break in between watering the crops. Corn demands warm days and cold nights.
This crop needs plenty of water, so don’t let it get thirsty and provide it with consistent moisture throughout the growth time. If natural rainfall is not providing you with enough moisture, you will need an artificial irrigation system to fulfil the needs of the crop for water.
All you Need to Know about Fertilizers
Nitrogen is a macronutrient for most of the plants so it should be provided in bulk as it promotes leaf development. Nitrogen can be lost very quickly from the soil as it can also be washed away by the rains. Make it sure that your farm soil never runs out of this crucial element.
You can do so by rotating corn with legumes and by using natural organic sources of nitrogen. Along with nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus are the other leading macronutrients needed by sweet corn. Keeping these entire things in mind, don’t make you forget the need for micronutrients.
Micronutrients are the elements that are vital for the plants in lower amounts; plants can’t thrive in their absence. It has proven through surveys and the latest researches that most of the corn farmers use nitrogen as fertilizer.
Establishment of a Sound Management Plan
You have a farm, and you want to utilize it for corn farming, so definitely you need a soundproof plan. You will need to take into account all of your available resources, the environmental conditions of your area, the predicted weather and soil conditions and nutrients.
You can grow 20000-24000 plants in one acre of your farmland. Corn can’t compete with weeds so take good care of it.
Good Crop Management Practices
Rotate the varieties and don’t crop the same variety year after year as it will help pests to develop resistance. You can rotate sweet corn with wheat, oats or barley. If you want to save more, you can use transgenic crop variety that does not need any added chemicals for pest control, as the cultivar offers resistance properties. Genetically modified combinations are being adopted and utilized throughout the world as these varieties are pest, weed and insect resistant.
Harvesting and Storage
Corn crop gets ready in 55-65 days. Wait until you get at least half of the flowering apparent. Harvest corn when the moisture content is 20-25% left. Detain them in a cool, shady, dry and airy place. Keep the temperature and humidity maintained in the storeroom.
