Horticultural Alternatives for Texas Agriculture

Sweet Corn

Estimated Cost $500 to $1000 per acre up to harvest

Harvest Season Spring season is May to July; Fall Season is October

Market Outlets Food service, grocery stores, farmers markets, roadside, pick-your-own

Market Potential Good for local sales of high quality product

Yield Potential 240-300 crates/ac (5 doz ears/crt)

Profit Potential $0 to $1,200 per acre

Adapted Areas Statewide

Labor Requirements 2 man-days per acre during harvest, machine harvest potential

Equipment Requirements Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, cultivator

Soil Requirements Medium to heavy soils preferred

Water Requirements Sweet corn needs 20 - 35 acre-inches of water. Critical water peaks are during pre-tassle and kernel fill.

Minimum Size 1 acre hand harvest - 20 acre for mashine harvest

Risk Factor Moderate to high.

Other Limiting Factors Hot weather above 90 degrees F causes standard sweet corn varieties to rapidly become starchy so refrigeration may be necessary to maintain quality. Sh₂ and Se types do not require immediate refrigeration. The corn earworm is constantly a threat to quality and marketability and is very difficult to control. Resistant varieties containing BT technology now available.

Additional Information

Comments Popular in local market sales.

Alternatives Index

Estimated Cost	$500 to $1000 per acre up to harvest
Harvest Season	Spring season is May to July; Fall Season is October
Market Outlets	Food service, grocery stores, farmers markets, roadside, pick-your-own
Market Potential	Good for local sales of high quality product
Yield Potential	240-300 crates/ac (5 doz ears/crt)
Profit Potential	$0 to $1,200 per acre
Adapted Areas	Statewide
Labor Requirements	2 man-days per acre during harvest, machine harvest potential
Equipment Requirements	Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, cultivator
Soil Requirements	Medium to heavy soils preferred
Water Requirements	Sweet corn needs 20 - 35 acre-inches of water. Critical water peaks are during pre-tassle and kernel fill.
Minimum Size	1 acre hand harvest - 20 acre for mashine harvest
Risk Factor	Moderate to high.
Other Limiting Factors	Hot weather above 90 degrees F causes standard sweet corn varieties to rapidly become starchy so refrigeration may be necessary to maintain quality. Sh₂ and Se types do not require immediate refrigeration. The corn earworm is constantly a threat to quality and marketability and is very difficult to control. Resistant varieties containing BT technology now available.
Additional Information
Comments	Popular in local market sales.