MARSHALL, Mich. — Illinois-based Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST) conducted early- and full-season corn tests in Calhoun County, Mich., last season at the farm of Jeff and Greg Fountain of Marshall.

The top three spots for yield in each category were all different varieties from six different companies. For the early-season test, FIRST Site Manager Rich Schleuning planted 34,000 seeds an acre on May 29 with 30-inch spacing. He harvested at a stand of 32,900 plants per acre Nov. 20.

The top-yielding variety was Renk RK591GTCBLLRWBLA at 175.4 bushels per acre; it also ranked No. 1 in gross income per acre, at $586. Second was Pioneer P0533AM1 GC at 173.4 bushels per acre and $576.

Third for yield was Channel 199-54VT2PRIB, at 167.3 bushels per acre. It ranked No. 5 for gross income per acre, at $562; M&W Seeds variety 46J11 ranked third in gross income at $566. It took the fourth spot for yield, at 166.8 bushels.

Yield doesn’t always equate to gross income because delivered grain varies in the amount of moisture it contains and, therefore, the cost of drying the product. Gross income rankings include the cost of drying, said Joe Bruce, FIRST general manager.

“Every farmer wants to harvest high-yielding dry corn to save money, so the gross income is designed (on the trials) to highlight products that deliver the best of both worlds,” he explained.

For the full-season test, Schleuning planted 34,000 seeds per acre on May 29 and harvested 32,900 plants per acre on Nov. 20. No. 1 in both yield and gross income was NuTech/G2 Gen 5H-905, at 177.4 bushels an acre and $584 in gross income.

The second-ranked product was Rupp xrJ03-31, with a yield of 170.8 bushels and income of $567. Select variety 4534SM RIB took the third spot, with 170.4 bushels and $558 in income.

In the report, Schleuning noted there was some foliar disease pressure present in the top of the plants, along with a lot of common smut. Some areas were starting to show a nitrogen deficiency and there was some sidewall compaction; however, final stands were good and stalks were still holding up at harvest with light lodging.

Complete results for these and other tests can be found online at www.first seedtests.com