Recent heavy storms have left behind many flooded fields and crops damaged by hail. Understanding the growth habits of crops can help evaluate the damage. The crop closest to harvest is wheat. There is not a lot of wheat in the area but is at a critical stage approaching harvest. Hail can break the stems causing lodging and the loss of heads.

Young corn plants are somewhat protected from hail because the growing point of corn stays below ground until the V5 growth stage (5 visible leaf collars). Prior to this time corn will generally re-grow from hail damage.

Data from the National Crop Insurance Service's "Corn Loss Instructions" indicate that less than 11 percent yield loss will occur with 100 percent defoliation up through the eight leaf stage .

To evaluate the location and health of the growing point, make a horizontal cut through the corn plant and look for the "small triangle" near the base of the plant. The tissue should be white in the center. Sometimes even though the growing point was not cut off, diseases set in after the hail and causes rot to occur. Generally, some re-growth from the growing point can be seen 3-4 days after the hail.

With Soybeans, as soon as the seedling emerges the growing point is exposed. Everytime a new leaf is generated there is a new bud that can generate new growth if the others are damaged. Also remember that a 60% stand will yield almost equal to a normal stand if weeds are controlled. The type of damage that hurts yield the most are gaps 2 to 3 feet or larger. If there is a good thing about hail, it is that it tends to be a fairly even plant thinner.