An increase in the number of reports of “edge effect” in Iowa cornfields this year has local agronomists researching how the relatively new phenomenon is reducing edge-of-field corn yields and how to mitigate the effects for future growing years.

For the past few years, some Iowa farmers have reported lower yields along the southern and western edges of their fields, particularly when the corn is adjacent to a short crop like soybeans, CRP or pasture/hay ground, and even more so in hot and dry conditions.

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Field Agronomist Meaghan Anderson said fields can suffer significant yield loss, often...