GREENSBURG, Ind. — Varieties from Steyer, LG Seeds and AgriGold led an early-season corn seed test for yield and gross income last year in Decatur County.
The test by Farmers’ Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST) was planted on the farm of Gordon and Jeff Smiley, of Greensburg. Steyer’s 11004GENSS RIB ranked first, with an average yield of 237.3 bushels an acre and an estimated gross income of $777 an acre. The variety had a moisture content of 24 percent.
Second was LG Seeds LG5603STX, with an average yield of 236.5 bushels, a moisture content of 26.3 percent and an estimated gross income of $761. Ranking third was AgriGold A6472VT3PRIB, which had an average yield of 235.1 bushels. It had an estimated gross income of $754 and a moisture content of 26.7 percent.
The test of 60 varieties produced an average of 217.7 bushels an acre. The average estimated gross income per acre was $699 and average moisture content was 26.5 percent.
High grain moistures were because of a later planting date and below-normal temperatures, noted Rich Schleuning, FIRST site manager. "At planting, white grubs were present," he said. "Corn flea beetle and Japanese beetle were noted on July 1."
The seeds were planted May 28 at a rate of 36,300 per acre, and were harvested Oct. 24 at a rate of 35,000 plants per acre. No tillage was used. The farm has clay loam soil, is well-drained and non-irrigated.
The previous crop was corn and a cover crop of rye, radish and clover. The corn was treated with Halex GT and Force.
In a full-season test on the same farm, Superior S8514VT3P ranked first, with an average yield of 253.3 bushels and an estimated gross income of $792 per acre. The moisture content was 30 percent.
Channel variety 213-59STXRIB came in second with an average of 244.9 bushels. The moisture content was 29.3 percent and the estimated gross income was $770.
Third in yield was LG Seeds variety LG5622STX, with 241.6 bushels and income of $749 per acre.
The full-season test of 63 varieties had an average of 220.1 bushels, an average estimated gross income of $691 and an average moisture content of 29.5 percent. Planting was done May 28, and harvest, on Oct. 24.
For a complete list of brands tested and test details, visit www.firstseedtests.com
