Corn Populations For 2026 In Kentucky

DR. CHAD LEE

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Corn seeding rates need to be adequate for excellent yield opportunities, but can be adjusted downward in 2026 to shave a few dollars off seed costs. 

Corn yields in Kentucky are heavily dependent on available water in the soil during seed fill. Seeding rates are adjusted based on the risk of soils running short of water during that seed fill stage.  The following seeding rates are suggested for the soil categories below. 

• Low Productivity Soils 24,000 to 26,000 seeds per acre. (Low productivity soils are shallow, often eroded slopes, or very heavy clay slopes):
• Medium Productivity Soils 26,000 to 30,000 seeds per acre. (Medium productivity soils often contain about three feet of water-holding capacity; examples include Crider and Pembroke):
• High Productivity Soils 32,000 to 36,000 seeds per acre. (High productivity soils are deep river bottoms, non-irrigated):
• Irrigated Soils: 32,000 to 42,000 seeds per acre.

These seeding rates assume 95% emergence. In each of these categories for non-irrigated fields, farmers could choose the bottom range of populations and probably go a little lower on the Low Productivity Soils. Shaving seeding rates to the bottom of these ranges should not hinder yield potential in the field, if the field gets the intended stands of corn. 

These seeding rates for Kentucky are different than what is being recommended in the I-states directly north of us where the soils are much deeper and they have a much better buffer against dry weather during seed fill. See Dr. Egli’s article for more details. 

Ideally, corn would be planted into good conditions, such that emergence is uniform and rapid. Those conditions include soil temperature between about 70 to 75 F, soils with adequate moisture and favorable forecasts for a few days after planting. 

Corn should be planted at a uniform depth between 1.5 to 2.0 inches deep. Either starter N or a 2x2 application of N helps with yield increases. That N should be deducted from the total N applied. Other products that could be considered during planting include Zinc, depending on soil tests and P or K, depending on soil tests. With very tight budgets this year, these are the only fertilizer products that should be considered in Kentucky fields at planting. Another article will address banding considerations. 

Make sure planters are working well. Complete a thorough check of all planters and replace worn and aging parts. Run planters in the fields on a day when the weather allows before planting season starts. Make your neighbors talk a little. 

The last two years across many fields in Kentucky had soils that stayed cool and wet during much of the planting season and never provided ideal conditions. So, planting corn into good conditions is not always an option. If it can be done, it will improve the chances of maximizing your return on your investment. 

Citation: Lee, C., 2026. Corn Populations for 2026 in Kentucky. Kentucky Field Crops News, Vol 2, Issue 02. University of Kentucky, February 13, 2026.   ∆

DR. CHAD LEE

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY