It is common to observe an occasional barren corn plant or plant with poorly filled and small ears in any given field each year. However in recent years, we have observed a greater than normal incidence of barren plants in many corn fields in southern Wisconsin. Furthermore, many crop consultants and company agronomists also have reported a higher than expected incidence of barren plants in specific fields. Frequently a problematic field is adjacent to a field with a more normal level of barren or small ear plants. Plants with no ears or small and poorly filled ears are certainly not a new problem. However, the greater incidence has us concerned, but also the observation that the problem reoccurs in a specific field from year to year. Many causes of barren corn plants are reported. Commonly accepted causes are genetic mutations, born deficiency or climatic related stress factors during pollination. Although not totally discounted, the cases we have investigated do not seem to involve these generally accepted causes of barren corn plants.