By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent FREELAND, Mich. — Varying growing conditions contributed to mixed yields during all-season tests by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) on two farms in Michigan’s Thumb region.
On John Wartz’s farm in Saginaw County, the top finisher was Rupp 8XP58, using YieldGard VT Triple technology, with 210.2 bushels per acre. Stine 9421RR produced 209.8 bushels, while Channel 197-14VT3 yielded 209.2 bushels. (See test results at right.)
Hyland HLCVR68, Channel 196-06VT3 and Hyland HLB45R also placed well, yielding 207.6, 207.4 and 207.3 bushels, respectively.
“This location had nearly ideal weather conditions all season,” said F.I.R.S.T. Manager Rich Schleuning.
The crop “went in the ground super nice and it just took off from there. It was an awesome crop. We had big yields and dry bushels. Yields were better than we had anticipated and were well above average in that area,” Schleuning said.
At harvest, the average moisture was 18.9 percent on the Freeland-area farm. The estimated gross income per acre was an average of $820. Rupp brought in an estimated $898.40, Stine’s gross income was $900.50 and Channel’s was $890.40.
The crop, no-till planted on April 24 and harvested Oct. 1, was standing well with an average of 32.3 on the sandy loam, non-irrigated soil. The previous crop had been soybeans treated with glyphosate.
About an hour’s drive south of Wartz’s farm, another test plot performed better than expected after experiencing less than ideal growing conditions throughout the season. An average yield of 135 bushels per acre was the result of the test on Charlie Guziak’s farm near Henderson in Shiawassee County.
“This farm went through a complete dry spell all season long,” Schleuning said.
The rainfall total from July through August was 1.4 inches. Low precipitation combined with hot temperatures during the same time frame created an “extremely stressful” environment, he said. (See test results on page 18.)
The top producer was Great Lakes 5090G3VT3, using YieldGard VT Triple technology, with 177 bushels per acre. Renk RK565GTCBLLRW produced 167.5 bushels and NuTech G2 5H-696 yielded 161.5 bushels. AgVenture RL5412HB GC and NuTech 5B-290 also produced well, with 159.3 and 158.3 respectively.
The field’s stand average was 29.4. “At this site, with the extreme dryness, we saw a lot of cannibalizing in the stalk, with the plant putting all of its efforts into making an ear,” Schleuning said. “We had some corn down in this location due to cannibalization of the stalks.”
The estimated gross income was an average of $591.30 per acre. Great Lakes averaged $773.50, while Renk came in at $732.50 and NuTech was $704.80.
The test stand was planted April 23 and harvested Oct. 3. The field was non-irrigated, well-drained sandy loam soil using conventional tillage. The previous crop had been soybeans treated with glyphosate.
Of both plots, Schleuning said, “It’s amazing to have that dry of corn that early in the season that far north. We have good data quality from both locations. These are good cross-comparisons to see the consistency of seed varieties under various growing conditions.”
To see all available test results, go to www.firstseedtests.com |
