Farmers must manage pesticides and nutrients properly to prevent adverse effects on the environment and reduce the costs of purchased inputs. Corn growers also need to maintain a high yield corn management that can lead to profitable returns.
There are various management techniques out there that can have significant impact on return per acre and output. These include choosing high performing hybrids, rotating crops, early planting, and narrow row spacing. This article discusses the benefits of using proper management to increase corn crop yield.
Variety selection
It’s a good idea to choose low-cost hybrids. Remember that there is no relationship between hybrid performance and seed price. In other words, you can find top-yielding hybrids at an affordable price, but you should not buy hybrids without checking performance data.
Comparative yield potential that is there between hybrids needs to be known so that you can assess the value of hybrids that differ in seed price. That said, within maturities, corn yield potential with average hybrids is usually 10 to 15 percent lower than that of the highest-yielding hybrids on the market.
You should choose a hybrid based on the proven performance utilizing averages from several locations. Further selection should also include traits necessary for the farm situation.
Plant early
Corn planting needs to be done as early as soil conditions allow, and complete planting at least in mid May to prevent yield reductions. With row widths that are more than 30 inches, you should utilize tall hybrids to increase sunlight interception. You can also adjust seeding rate, though it should be based on available soil water holding capacity and soil productivity.
Reduce the seeding rate on farms or fields that have reduced production potential. You can also increase seeding rate on farms or fields that have high yield potential. When you do this, it can increase the return on each seed.
It’s worth noting that planting early may not cost you more than planting late, though planting early can produce best yields. Even better, the corn reaches maturity earlier, so you can harvest it sooner and at lower moisture content than the corn that is planted late. Early planting can also reduce production cost per bushel and increase return per acre. Reduced drying costs that come with early planting can also further decrease cost per bushel.
However, there are some risks that are associated with early planting. Some of these risks include delayed and delayed emergence as well as frost damage. These emergence problems may be partially overcome if you plant at higher rates during early planting. With frost damage, it rarely kills corn seedlings because the growing point of the corn is usually protected underneath the soil surface up to at least 5 weeks after planting.
The key benefit of early planting can increase overall yield. Also, it can improve earlier harvest of dry grain on a larger part of the entire acreage. You can also plant more of the acreage to full-season hybrids that have good yield potential. You need to make sure that you have more corn by planting at least in May. If you have a lot of corn to plant, then you should start early so that you can achieve this goal.
Optimize plant density
Many corn producers out there are cautious when it comes to increasing plant densities for good reasons. This is because of standard problems and fear of disasters like dry weather. The extreme 1988 growing season gave a variety of yield environments to help assess the impact of plant density on economic return and corn yields.
The data indicates that in high and medium corn yield environments the maximum harvest density stood at 30,000 corn plants per acre. The maximum density in low yield environments happened to be just 18,000 corn plants per acre, but high plant densities didn’t reduce yields as many corn producers and agronomists would have expected.
The maximum plant density with enough rainfall in this 1988 study in 30-inch rows was at least 30,000 corn plants per acre, though the best density for specific fields usually depends on some factors like soil moisture, normal rainfall, soil fertility, storage capacity, and row spacing. You also need to consider the corn hybrids you want to plant and stalk strength as well as interaction with plant density.
Narrow row spacing
Theoretically, there is a good chance of improving corn yields by narrowing rows. This is because spacing plants leads to more efficient use of moisture, light, and nutrients. Besides, high plant densities with narrow rows can give more crop competition with weeds.
Several studies suggest that corn yield can change in 30-inch compared to wider rows that range from at least 3 percent decreases to 10 percent increases. Row spacing of either 15-inches or 20-inches only increased corn yields to at least 1 to 2 percent when compared to 30-inch spacing.
Therefore, based on these data, you can expect a 5 to 7 percent advantage when it comes to 30-inch and 36 to 40 inch rows considering that there are no other limiting factors like high soil fertility, optimum planting date, and good pest and weed control.
Fertilizer or nutrient management
A good fertility program is essential, especially during these financially distressing times. You should get a soil analysis and even develop a soil fertility program that is based on this analysis. When it comes to fertilizer, it must vary from one field to another and within fields. You need to fertilize each field based on the needs of that field.
It’s a good idea to fertilize low fertility fields first and you can fertilize with high fertility. If you have fields with high potassium and phosphorus, then you don’t need extra nutrients for at least a year or more. This field management can give you better return than reducing fertilizer rate on all your fields uniformly.
Banding potassium and phosphorus with the planter has also proven that it can be more efficient when used at low soil test levels than using broadcast applications. To make sure that there is efficient uptake of potassium and phosphorus, you should put them below the soil surface.
