TIFFIN, Ohio — Stewart, Steyer and NuTech seed brands took the top three spots in an early-season corn test in Seneca County, Ohio. The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) at the farm of Chris Magers in Tiffin.

F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Rich Schleuning planted the plot on May 2 at 32,500 seeds per acre and harvested corn at 30,200 plants per acre on Nov. 5. The plot used conventional fall tillage in well-drained, non-irrigated sandy clay loam soil with a moderate concentration of phosphorous and potassium. The pH was 6.8. The average yield for the 36 varieties tested was 167.1 bushels per acre.

Stewart 6V556 took first in this test, with a yield for this variety of 192.9 bushels per acre and an estimated average gross income of $1,396 per acre. Moisture content was at 21.6 percent.

Steyer 10702-3000GT was second in yield with 188.5 bushels and an income of $1,366 per acre; moisture content for this variety was at 21.1 percent. NuTech was third with an average yield of 180.7 bushels per acre and an income of $1,309. Moisture content was 21.3 percent.

With the exception of four varieties, the lodging on all other seeds tested was at just 1 percent. “Lodging scores are the result of a mix of light disease and the winds from Hurricane Sandy,” Schleuning said.

Specialty 83R90GENSSRIB, Mycogen 2P616 and Rupp xrJ07-20 rounded out the top six yielding varieties in this test.

In full-season testing on the same plot, Steyer variety 10901GENSS RIB took top honors, with 181.8 bushels per acre and an income of $1,315 per acre, and a moisture content of 21.6 percent (shared by the No. 2 and 3 varieties below, as well).

Mycogen 2V707 was second, at 181 bushels and income of $1,310 per acre while Great Lakes 6087VT3PRO was third in the test at 179.7 bushels and gross income of $1,300. Rounding out the top five were Stewart 7V747 and Ebberts 7712VT3P.

“This area was lucky enough to get enough rain to make a crop,” Schleuning said. “The stress from drought and hot conditions this year weakened ear shanks, as there were dropped ears at harvest. Area yields were in the 150 bushel-per-acre range, but dropped below 100 bushel per acre a few miles south.”

Both tests used 30-inch row spacing. The previous crop were soybeans with Roundup as an herbicide. For pest management Keystone, Aztec and glyphosate were used.