With some area's experiencing HUGE yields this year, while outstanding in the field beside your combine, you might be wondering Where did all this corn come from?
There are lots of factors to consider but it seems that some areas have won the weather lottery and their corn is running well over 200 bushels. Of course, we can't change the weather so what other factors were right this year to bring in the big yields?
Variety Traits: It all starts with the seed. 9 times out of 10, the top yields are coming from a traited variety. Now this does not mean that the variety with the most traits is going to out perform every time. Rather, the right traits need to be used in the right situation. For example, if you are in an area with a high WBC population this past year, perhaps you need to think about a Hurculex variety for next year. If you are in a corn on corn situation, give the crop what it needs with the proper traits or seed treatment.
CHU's: This year, from May 15th to Oct 25th, the Staffa area accumulated 287 more CHU's than the 30 year average for a total of 3193. Varieties like Pioneer's P0126 and P0474 are running 230+ bushel in some plots. These varieties are in the 3100 range. I am not saying plant all your acres to late day corn but it may payoff to plant a portion of your acres to a variety later than the average CHU's for your area.
Weed Control: A clean field is going to yield more than a dirty field. As well, a clean field from pre-emergence is going to yield more than a field sprayed with an application of Glyphosate at 3 or 4 leaf. Set up Chemical programs are vital for giving your corn the start that it needs. You can not rely on a couple of passes of Glyphosate to give you the big yields.
Nitrogen: In a year with all other variables pointing towards a big yield, do not leave your corn hungry for more nitrogen. 150lbs/ac N is not enough for a 200+ bushel crop. If you don't want to spend the extra money on commercial fertilizer, look at N values from clover and other crops. Also, pay attention to when and how you apply your manure to get the most N available to the crop.
Compaction: One years ruts are the next years yield drag, and the next years, and the next years... If you must be in the field when wet, do everything possible to limit compaction.
The Weather 649: You never know, some years you win with that million dollar rain at emergence to break the crust, and at silking to aid pollination, and at cob fill to bring the test weight up ... and every other timely rain.
Disclaimer: These are just a few factors that effect corn yield, following these guidelines will not guarantee a large corn yield. Every crop is different.
There are lots of factors to consider but it seems that some areas have won the weather lottery and their corn is running well over 200 bushels. Of course, we can't change the weather so what other factors were right this year to bring in the big yields?
Variety Traits: It all starts with the seed. 9 times out of 10, the top yields are coming from a traited variety. Now this does not mean that the variety with the most traits is going to out perform every time. Rather, the right traits need to be used in the right situation. For example, if you are in an area with a high WBC population this past year, perhaps you need to think about a Hurculex variety for next year. If you are in a corn on corn situation, give the crop what it needs with the proper traits or seed treatment.
CHU's: This year, from May 15th to Oct 25th, the Staffa area accumulated 287 more CHU's than the 30 year average for a total of 3193. Varieties like Pioneer's P0126 and P0474 are running 230+ bushel in some plots. These varieties are in the 3100 range. I am not saying plant all your acres to late day corn but it may payoff to plant a portion of your acres to a variety later than the average CHU's for your area.
Weed Control: A clean field is going to yield more than a dirty field. As well, a clean field from pre-emergence is going to yield more than a field sprayed with an application of Glyphosate at 3 or 4 leaf. Set up Chemical programs are vital for giving your corn the start that it needs. You can not rely on a couple of passes of Glyphosate to give you the big yields.
Nitrogen: In a year with all other variables pointing towards a big yield, do not leave your corn hungry for more nitrogen. 150lbs/ac N is not enough for a 200+ bushel crop. If you don't want to spend the extra money on commercial fertilizer, look at N values from clover and other crops. Also, pay attention to when and how you apply your manure to get the most N available to the crop.
Compaction: One years ruts are the next years yield drag, and the next years, and the next years... If you must be in the field when wet, do everything possible to limit compaction.
The Weather 649: You never know, some years you win with that million dollar rain at emergence to break the crust, and at silking to aid pollination, and at cob fill to bring the test weight up ... and every other timely rain.
Disclaimer: These are just a few factors that effect corn yield, following these guidelines will not guarantee a large corn yield. Every crop is different.
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