By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

MICHIGAN THUMB, Mich. — Although all in the same area of the state, three counties saw three different results in terms of corn yields in Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) tests. A total of 54 varieties were tested on each plot, with the top 30 shown in the visible test results.

The highest yields were seen on the Sanilac County farm of Mark Johnston, in Peck. The plot was planted April 22 at 34,000 seeds per acre and harvested on Oct. 1 at 30,800. The top variety was Channel 199-55VT3 with a yield of 238.2 bushels and a gross income of $998.10 per acre.

Second, third and fourth varieties were all from Nu Tech, ranging from 231.3-231.7 bushels, with gross incomes from $959.40-$988.20 per acre. F.I.R.S.T. Manager Rich Schleuning said the site had ample early rainfall with a hot and dry mid-summer, but caught a few late rains to make a great-yielding crop. Some stalk lodging was present because of stalk rot. Ears were filled well with deep kernels.

The Lapeer County farm of Dwight Bartl in Brown City saw slightly lower yields. Plots on the Bartl farm were planted on April 24 at 36,000 seeds per acre and harvested on Sept. 30, at 31,500.
Nu Tech 5N-695 proved to be the highest producer, at 217.1 bushels and a gross income of $916.20 per acre. The second highest-yielding variety was Hyland HLB45R at 216.3 bushels and $910.20 per acre.

The third best seed in terms of yield was Renk variety RK565GTCBLLRW, at 215.5 bushels and $915.90 per acre. Schleuning said the Bartl plot had an early start in the spring with a record early harvest, with dry conditions and minimal rain all year.
“The lodging is due to some stalk rot and plant cannibalizing stalk resources and redirecting them toward grain fill in the ear,” he reported.

The lowest-yielding plot of the three, on the Tuscola County farm of Andy Gough in Fairgrove, can be attributed to dry conditions that “took the top end off the crop,” according to Schleuning: “With the dry July and August, the plant cannibalized itself and put all energy into making an ear.”

This plot was planted at 34,500 seeds per acre on April 23 and harvested on Oct. 19 at 32,400. The highest yielder was an AgVenture variety, at 140.8 bushels and $617 gross income per acre.

Second was Stine 9421RR at 136.1 bushels and $594.80 per acre. Number three was yet another Nu Tech variety, G2 5H-696, at 133 bushels and $581.60 per acre.

All three plots consisted of loamy soil, were well-drained and none were irrigated. Sanilac and Lapeer county plots were conventionally tilled with fall till; Tuscola was strip-tilled. For further details and treatments used, visit www.firstseedtests.com