To get the most productivity out of a hybrid, growers must manage their fields for higher yields.
Factors that may contribute to higher yields include:
Hybrid characteristics
University and seed company studies reveal hybrids can vary greatly in yield per acre. The more intensive the management, the greater this difference can be. Hybrid choice is probably the most important decision a grower can make.
Corn yields continue to rise, averaging about two bushels per acre in the 1990s and three bushels in the past decade. To achieve the highest possible yields, select hybrids with:
Yield content winners
Yield contest winners generally:
Plant more, harvest more
Plant populations are also important. Today's hybrids features stronger stress tolerance, allowing higher plant populations and subsequently higher yields.
In recent years, foliar fungicides are playing a role in increasing yields. Many yield contest winners have adopted foliar fungicides, which keep plots free of stresses caused by leaf diseases and stalk rots.
Weed control offers another way to boost yields. Glyphosate combined with other targeted herbicides can help control weeds early, control them longer and help prevent herbicide resistance by bringing multiple modes of action to bear on troublesome weeds. It's crucial to control weeds early to avoid competition for essential water, light and nutrients.