Most of the time "here" 1 good ear. Most of the times there is evidence of a second ear starting but it might not pollinate completely and hardly ever is considered a full ear.

In reduced stands or populations where the competition is not as heavy a plant may try to compensate by trying to fill more ears.

Actually the saying goes if your seeing the tip blank for about an inch it is a good indicator you planted a high enough population. If it's filled clear to the end the saying goes you should have planted at a somewhat higher population.

Here is a pic from a few years back where this plant along the edge had 3 ears started.

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P7180024 (Medium).JPG (57KB - 297 downloads)