By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

DIMONDALE, Mich. — A southern Michigan corn test plot came up short on yields due to less than desirable overall weather conditions in the 2008 round of Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.).

But, despite the weather challenges, Rich Schleuning, F.I.R.S.T. test site manager, said the results still provided valuable information.
“It was great to look at for data quality of what hybrids could withstand drought conditions at pollination,” Schleuning said. “It’s good to see how these hybrids stand up to stress and drought.”
A report prepared by Schleuning explained the plot on the Henry Pray farm in Dimondale, was no-tilled on sandy clay loam soil May 13. Schleuning said planting was late due to an extremely wet spring, which left the plot under water twice.

The field notes reflect that the plot continued to endure heavy stress throughout the growing season. Hot dry conditions in July and August imposed “severe stress,” which interfered with pollination, leaving some hybrids completely barren.

The corn was harvested in late-October. Fielders Choice NG6583 was the highest-yielding variety, producing 110.6 bushels per acre.
Midwest Seed 76126VT3 was the second highest-yielding variety, producing 105.8 bushels per acre, while third place went to Stewart 6N385, with 105.3 bushels.

Gross income ranking followed yield for the three varieties, reflecting $507 per acre for the Fielders Choice, $481.3 per acre for the Midwest Seed and $482.8 for Stewart.