Blessed

I think all those in the Seaforth-Mitchell area can say we are blessed this year.  First we were surprised by the soybean yields and now we are seeing some AMAZING corn yields.  Some people in the area have grown their best corn ever this year.  None of us would have seen that coming in July - I know I pegged the crop at 150-180bus/ac.  You don't have to go far to get into those numbers or worse.  In some areas, the average response to corn yield is "I didn't know the yield monitor could go that low".

So, the question is - how do we repeat the big yields next year?  Basically, we can break the yield down into three parts 1) Agronomics 2)Genetics 3)Weather.

1)Agronomics - Yes, we are doing a better job in soil preparation, seed and fertilizer placement, and weed control.  This year, the big advantages were even emergence, tillage that conserved soil moisture, and late weed control as when the rain came so did the weeds. 

2)Genetics - Can I say that a newer corn hybrid will always yield better than an older variety?  No, but I can say that the newer products are much more specific to certain field conditions and when the right product is on the right acre it will out perform the older ones.

3)Weather - The big one.  There is no doubt, if you got the timely rain you are ahead of the pack.  The question is do you gamble and plant all your acres to a 3100HU drought tolerant Hybrid in 2013?  Notice the word gamble.  We have no clue if we will have a repeat performance of 2012 next year. 

Are we in a trend of increasing Heat Units?  I think so.  By growing all 2700 HU corn and soys, I do believe you are giving up yield.  On the safe side, pushing at least 2900HU on some acres should work out.

So in the end, what do we plan on for next year?  We pick hybrids and varieties by field, and spread out risk with different maturities.  The right product for the right acre.

There are quite a few plots off, and lots more to go.  Be sure to check out  https://www.pioneer.com/home/site/ca to see the plots that have been uploaded.  For our area, P9855HR has handled the drought well, P9910XR is showing great and P0216AM-R is leading the pack.  Keep and eye out for the new earlier hybrids P9329HR and P9411HR as well.