Can Short Stature Corn Deliver? Steve Fourez Puts It to the Test


By Tara Desmond September 3, 2026

Illinois farmer Steve Fourez is putting short stature corn to the test on his Fairmount farm. The trial compares ten short stature hybrids against conventional corn in a high-population, twin-row system that Steve has been refining for several years.


The primary benefit of short stature corn is its shorter plant height, which may allow growers to make late-season fungicide and herbicide applications with ground equipment instead of relying on aerial applications. While harvest results will tell the full story, Steve says early observations show ears from the short stature corn are virtually indistinguishable from those in the conventional plots, giving him optimism about its yield potential. Watch 1.5 minute video to hear from Steve.


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