By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

BLOOMDALE, Ohio — The corn hybrids tested at this northern Ohio plot were challenged by variety of weather conditions, but yields were still in the 160-bushel-per-acre range.

In the early-season test, the 36 tested hybrids averaged 160.2 bu. per acre. In the full-season trial, the varieties were able to produce 167.8 bu. per acre.

The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) on the Wood County, Ohio farm of Larry Bishop. The soil type was a clay loam, and the no-till field was well drained and non-irrigated.

F.I.R.S.T. manager Rich Schleuning planted the field on May 11 at a rate of 32,500 seeds per acre. He began to harvest approximately 24,500 plants per acre on Oct. 24.

“The wet cool spring reduced the final stand considerably,” Schleuning said. “This location had a dry July and August. Late August and early September rains saved this location.”
However, cool weather just prior to harvest didn’t help. “The early frost made for slow dry down,” Schleuning explained. “Plant health was good with good stalk quality.”

Campbell Seed 591-76VT3 won the early-season test with an average of 176.5 bu. per acre. Its moisture content was 20.3 percent. Specialty Hybrids 4949VT3 finished second with 174.2 bu. per acre.

In the full-season test, Great Lakes Hybrids 6184 was first with a 183.7 bu. per acre average. Its moisture content was 23.4 percent. Producing 180.7 bu. per acre was Channel hybrid 210-61VT3 for second place.

For a list of the 36 hybrids at this test, visit www.firstseedtests.com