By TESA NAUMAN
Tennessee Correspondent

GRAND RIDGE, Ill., — Channel and AgriGold came out on top in results from three corn seed tests in Illinois this year.

The tests were conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) on the La Salle County farm of Don and Ralph Walter, in Grand Ridge.

In an ultra-early test, Channel 199-55VT3 GC came in first, with an average yield of 218.2 bushels per acre. The moisture content was 17.4 percent, and the estimated gross income per acre was $851.90.
OMG 4M62 came in second with an average yield of 218.2 bushels per acre, and Dyna-Gro D44SS49 was third, with 215.5 bushels per acre.

In an early-season test, AgriGold A6458VT3 came in at second place, with an estimated yield of 224.3 bushels per acre, moisture content at 21.4 percent and an estimated gross income of $839.80 per acre.

Golden Harvest H-8577 3000GT came in first, with a yield of 230.2 bushels per acre an a gross income of $868.30. Placing third was Steyer 10903VT3P at 221.2 bushels per acre and a gross income of $829.10.

In the full-season test, AgriGold A6533VT3 came in first place and Channel 210-61VT3 came in third. AgriGold had an average yield of 236.5 bushels per acre. The moisture content was 26.3 percent, and the estimated gross income per acre was $839.10.

Channel had an average yield of 232.5 bushels per acre. The moisture content was 23.4 percent, and the estimated gross income per acre was $851.90.
Heritage 4642VT3 came in second, with 233.6 bushels per acre and an income of $840 per acre.

The Walter farm has drummer silty clay loam and was moderately well drained and non-irrigated. Conventional tillage in the fall was used, and Keystone, Balance Pro, Headline and Force were used for pest management.
F.I.R.S.T. Manager Jason Beyers planted the field at a rate of 37,500 seeds per acre on April 20 and  harvested 35,600 plants per acre on Sept. 8. He said summer weather conditions affected the crop.

“During July and most of August, hot, dry weather and lack of rain took its toll on this location. Stalk quality on some hybrids was poor due to Anthracnose being present in the plot, most all the lodging observed was due to stalk lodging,” Beyer explained.

“Most hybrids experienced good pollination, and a good, deep kernel set.”
For a complete list of brands tested and a searchable database of details, go online to www.firstseedtests.com