New Bayer Short Corn Variety Withstands High Winds, but Not Over 100 mph, Reports Reuters

By Renee Hickman

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Bayer’s Preceon variety of short stature corn has demonstrated the ability to withstand winds of up to 75 mph (120 kph) in certain trials, the company reported on Tuesday. However, it was unable to endure gusts exceeding 100 mph.

This limitation indicates that the corn could still suffer damage from severe weather events like the derecho storm that struck the heart of the Corn Belt in August 2020, resulting in $11 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bayer noted that other varieties of short stature corn can withstand winds up to 50 mph.

A derecho is characterized as a large, long-lasting thunderstorm featuring damaging straight-line winds. Experts suggest that extreme weather events are becoming increasingly prevalent as a result of climate change.

"After 100 mph, nothing really stands," commented Bob Reiter, head of research and development in crop science at Bayer, in an interview.

At a recent event in Chicago, the company revealed that 390 farmers cultivated the Preceon variety across approximately 35,000 acres in the U.S. and Europe as part of a 2023 trial of this conventionally bred corn.

Bayer plans to introduce a genetically modified version of the corn in 2027 and is developing a gene-edited variant "to cater to diverse global markets." The company asserts that this corn variety will minimize yield losses caused by extreme weather, given its lower height which reduces wind resistance.

As climate change continues to escalate, events similar to the derecho storm that impacted the U.S. Midwest could increasingly pose a threat, according to Nick Vita, a forecaster with Commodity Weather Group.

"Very warm temperatures can not only enhance the intensity but also prolong the duration of these systems," Vita stated.