Only one corn-breeding line out of about 150 remained standing after a derecho slammed into Beck’s Superior Hybrids nursery, near Marshalltown, Iowa, last summer.

Winds exceeding 100 mph are an extreme test in standability for any experimental corn line, but the fact the variety stood like a tree when thousands of actual trees were blown over during the violent windstorm punched its ticket to further development.

The corn line could help create future hybrids that may withstand high winds without lodging.

“We know that will be a strong line that will be bred heavily,” said Tom Koch, breeding manager for Beck’s.

With an ever-changing climate, breeding crops that are more weather resilient is a priority for seed companies. Koch said combining the attributes of racehorse varieties — known to produce big yields when the weather cooperates — and a workhorse variety that better withstands adverse weather is more important than ever.

“Weather extremes seem to be getting more intense,” Koch explained. “Farmers are going to need a complete or broad defensive package to fit their needs.”

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