what would be the reason behind it?

 

I've often wondered if it would have less weed and disease pressure because it's not so much of a monoculture. Maybe some of the benefits of intercropping. But everything else is more difficult logistically. Spraying, etc. And in my case irrigation.

 

I read up on this in the past a bit. I believe the corn is supposed to get a pretty decent yield bump with more sun, like 20-50 bushels. Think there are some articles and newagtalk posts with more details if you google.

 

A close friend of a cousin of mine was doing this back in the 1980's: you are correct, Bob, the extra sunlight hitting the outside rows of each corn strip is where the benefit comes from.

 

Picture taken in about same spot the original one was at top of this thread and another from a hill away from the field.