Did you know?

It's winter, which means it's time to review the research that was completed over the last season. Every year, Pioneer not only tests new emerging hybrids and varieties, but also does research on agronomic practices. Here's a few facts I gleaned from Pioneer's 2011 Agronomy Research Summary.

1) For 8 years now, Pioneer has used it's proprietary wind machine "Boreas" in field to evaluate corn hybrid responses to high winds. This 20 ton machine can produce winds up to 100 Mile/hour.



2)Newer Hybrids can take higher populations. Here is a chart of a study comparing hybrids back to 1930 to today's with different populations. You can see that the newer the hybrid, the better it can take the stress of population (higher disease, competition for water and sunlight, stalk strength).



As we move forward with new hybrids, it is important to take a second look at how population effects yields.

3)This is not new research, however it is a chart that you should think about every once in a while. Below, the chart outlines how pH effects availability of nutrients.



One step further is to keep in mind how the concentration of one nutrient can effect the availability of others.



It's only January, there's lots more for me to learn this winter!