FIRST Harvest: Corn harvest picks up speed

Please add FIRST Harvest to your Safe Sender list.

November 20, 2009

Corn results rolling in
Welcome to another issue of the F.I.R.S.T. Harvest Reports e-newsletter, which is brought to you by Corn & Soybean Digest magazine with sponsorship from Poncho 500 seed applied insecticide and Trilex 6000 soybean system.

This week you'll find an ample amount of corn reports as corn harvest has finally picked up the pace with drier conditions. These weekly reports feature results from the managers of F.I.R.S.T. for corn, soybean and silage yields and performance. F.I.R.S.T. stands for Farmer's Independent Research of Seed Technologies. It is an association of farmers organized to test newly developed and trait-added seed corn and soybean products.

Summaries of the reports by region are listed below. To view the full reports with the listing of each hybrid visit www.firstseedtests.com and click on 2009 Reports. Or click on the links in blue listed below.

New weekly audio interviews with the F.I.R.S.T. farm managers have been posted this week to provide detailed, region-specific information about the harvest and crop performance. Click here for AUDIO.

Short videos with F.I.R.S.T. farm managers explaining more about the F.I.R.S.T. Seed Testing program can also be found on the site. Click here for VIDEO

F.I.R.S.T. was started in 1997, and today the program has expanded to include corn and soybean testing sites planted in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the DelMarva region in Delaware and Maryland.

Stats show harvest inching closer to completion
In the Crop Progress report released by the National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) on Nov. 16, 2009, 54% of the corn crop had been harvested across the 18 largest corn-producing states. The five-year-average for the same time period is 89%.

Soybean harvest is 89% complete in the 18 largest soybean-producing states, according to NASS data reported for Nov. 16, 2009. The five-year-average for soybean harvest at this same time is 96% completed.

Click here for the complete NASS REPORT.

Lesion. Root-knot. Needle. Lance. Spiral. Sting. Ring. These are just a few of the nematode species considered major pests in corn. Their exact economic impact is unknown, but with researchers citing 10 to 20 percent losses possible, it’s easy to imagine the sky-high cost of lost yields due to nematode damage. Corn growers have several management options to minimize losses, such as employing proper fertilization, keeping fields weed-free and rotating to other crops. Corn growers also will soon have access to VOTiVO^™ biological seed treatment — an innovative nematode solution coming soon from Bayer CropScience. More information on VOTiVO is coming December 8.

F.I.R.S.T. CORN PROGRESS REPORT
Illinois West Central and Illinois East Central
Eric Beyers

Significant root lodging at the Clayton, IL, location made harvest difficult. Soil compaction was also evident in certain areas of the trial. Both of these factors caused higher-than-normal yield variability for this location. Average yield was 176 bu./acre on the early season test and 181.1 bu./acre on the full-season test. Clayton, IL – Corn

The Galva, IL, location produced an excellent standing plot with minimal lodging. Replications planted in twin rows yielded 11 to 17 bu./acre greater than the replications in single 30-in. rows. Average yield was 215.2 bu./acre on the early season test and 204.7 bu./acre on the full-season test. Galva, IL – Corn

The Macomb, IL, site had robust plant growth with corn plants 12 ft. tall or more at harvest on Nov. 12. Some stalk and root lodging was evident. The twin rows did provide a minimum 3-bu./acre yield advantage over the single 30-in. rows. Average yield was 221.6 bu./acre on the early season test and 217.4 bu./acre on the full-season test. Macomb, IL – Corn

High-end yields were cut down by too much rain at the Findlay, IL, site. Although the field is tiled, surface water still sat in some areas. Rain in October also delayed harvest until Nov. 14. Average yield was 174.7 bu./acre on the early season test and 176.2 bu./acre on the full-season test. Findlay, IL – Corn

Indiana Central, Indiana North, Michigan South, Ohio North West and Ohio West Central
Rich Schleuning

Wet, cool conditions reduced the corn plant population at the Fayette, OH, location. Some hybrids had severe stalk rot and ear rot at harvest on Nov. 6. Average yield was 150.1 bu./acre on the early season test and 156.5 bu./acre on the full-season test. Fayette, OH – Corn

The Lewistown, OH, site was off to a good start after planting until the rain stopped and conditions turned dry until mid-July. Late-season rains did help the crop recover. Average yield was 170 bu./acre on the early season test and 168.9 bu./acre on the full-season test. Lewistown, OH – Corn

Despite odd weather all growing season, the Payne, OH, location posted a nice average yield of 222.7 bu./acre on the early season test and 217.9 bu/acre on the full-season test. Stalk quality was still acceptable at harvest on Nov. 11, but stalk rot was present. Payne, OH – Corn

The Spiceland, IN, site had good grain quality with a bright yellow kernel color. Average yield was an impressive 221.7 bu./acre on the early season test and 225.5 bu./acre on the full-season test. Spiceland, IN – Corn

The cool, wet spring made emergence difficult for some hybrids at the Greensburg, IN, location. The average yield was 237.4 bu./acre on the early season test and 227.9 bu./acre on the full-season test. The big yields were a surprise, considering the variable crop appearance in late June. Greensburg, IN – Corn

The Otterbein, IN, location was a great plot to harvest because dry, warm weather helped drydown the crop. Harvest was slow because of the high yields and residue that had to be threshed. Average yield was 254.6 bu./acre on the early season test and 255.3 bu./acre on the full-season test. Otterbein, IN – Corn

A big yield and good stalk quality also slowed harvest at the Perrysville, IN, location. Plants were up to 11 ft. tall at this location. Average yield was 231.6 bu./acre on the early season test and 233.6 on the full-season test. Perrysville, IN – Corn

Wet conditions delayed planting until May 22 at the Woodburn, IN, location. Wet conditions persisted most of the season, and heavy rains packed the soil and reduced some of the stands on the late-season test. But, yields were still good considering the soggy conditions. Average yield was 236.7 bu./acre on the early season test and 223.2 bu./acre on the full-season test. Woodburn, IN – Corn

The Reading, MI, location went from wet and cool conditions to extremely dry in July and August. The dry conditions shortened plant height. Stalk quality was poor on some hybrids as the plants put energy into grain, not the stalk. Despite the conditions, the average yield of 170.9 bu./acre on the all-season test was surprisingly good. Similar conditions existed at the Riga, MI, plot, where the 186.3-bu./acre average yield on the all-season test was also better than expected.
Riga, MI – Corn
Reading, MI – Corn

Iowa West Central
Randy Meinsma

Great soil conditions and spring rains helped the Dunlap, IA, location have uniform plant establishment. The cool and wet growing season generated tremendous yields. Stalks were starting to weaken at harvest on Nov. 11. Average yield was 242.4 bu./acre on the early season test and 245.2 bu./acre on the full-season test. Dunlap, IA – Corn

The Lewis, IA, location had low stress during the growing season, which resulted in high yields. Average yield was 243.5 bu./acre on the early season test and 244 bu.acre on the full-season test. Lewis, IA – Corn

Minnesota Southeast, Minnesota Southwest, Nebraska Northeast, South Dakota Northeast and South Dakota Southeast
Mark Querna

The May 12 planting date was later than normal at the New Richland, MN, location, but the crop got off to a good start. The dry, cool summer slowed crop development, but also kept the plants from severe stress during pollination. The five-year average is 195 bu./acre here. This year, the average yield was 198.4 bu./acre on the early season test and 203.8 bu./acre on the full-season test. New Richland, MN – Corn

Rainfall was short in May, August and September at the Jackson, MN, location. Growing degree units were also behind normal all summer, which slowed crop maturity. October rain and cool temperatures further hampered drydown. Average yield on this site is 180 bu./acre. This year, the average yield was 211.9 bu./acre on the early season test and 201.9 bu./acre on the full-season test. Jackson, MN – Corn

Soil tilth at planting on May 2 was amazing at the Cannon Falls, MN, location. But, owner Mark Hernke reported that the row cleaners on his planter has some difficulty with the root balls from this long-term corn-on-corn site. Emergence and early vigor were uneven due to these conditions, and as a result, there was above-normal yield variability at this location. Average yield was 198.4 bu./acre on the early season test and 191.9 bu./acre on the full-season test. Cannon Falls, MN – Corn

The average yield of 194.9 bu./acre on the early season test and 188.1 bu./acre on the full-season test were in the range of the average annual yield of 190 bu./acre at the Salem, SD, location. Corn moistures were higher than normal for this area at 24.7%. Some mold was also present on the outside of the kernels. Salem, SD – Corn

Heavy rains in June caused ponding that lingered all month at the Canton, SD, location. Grain yields were more variable as a result. Average yield on the early season test was 154.9 bu./acre and 121.8 bu./acre on the full-season test. Canton, SD – Corn

At the Ethan, SD, location heavy rains and cool weather in June slowed the growth of the corn crop. All low spots in this field had water-damaged corn, increasing yield variability. Average yield was 163.5 bu./acre on the early season test and 170.5 bu./acre on the full-season test. Ethan, SD – Corn

Conditions turned cool and wet after planting on May 6 at the Arlington, SD, site, which caused problems with plant emergence. Corn was slow to dry down due to the wet fall, and mold was present on the kernels at harvest on Nov. 11. Average yield was 161.5 bu./acre on the early season test and 160.5 bu./acre on the full-season test. Arlington, SD – Corn

The Cavour, SD, location had too much moisture with heavy rains causing a lot of ponding in the fields, which damaged yields. One flooded replication was dropped from the early season test and data from the full-season test was rejected due to the flood-related issues impacting yield variability. The average yield on the early season test was 147.4 bu./acre. Cavour, SD – Corn

Ideal growing conditions made for a record-setting crop at the Chancellor, SD, location. Average yield was 216.8 bu./acre on the early season test and 210.5 bu./acre on the full-season test. No mold was evident on the kernels at harvest. Chancellor, SD – Corn

Cool summer weather delayed the growing degree units by about 10 days at the Easton, MN, location, and the corn crop never really caught up. Maturity finished behind normal. Average yield was 207.6 bu./acre on the early season test and 189.1 bu./acre on the full-season test. Easton, MN – Corn

The Oakland, NE, site had an excellent growing season and produced an average yield of 241.3 bu./acre on the early season test and 237.8 bu./acre on the full-season test. Those are phenomenal yields for this dryland site, where the five-year average yield is 153. bu./acre. Oakland, NE – Corn

Temperatures were cooler than normal and a bit dry at the Hartington, NE, location. Yield was still satisfactory for a dryland site, averaging 167 bu./acre on the early season test and 169.9 on the full-season test. Hartington, NE – Corn

The Columbus, NE, location had a light hail storm in June, but minimal damage. Farmer Paul Wilke ran the center pivot to apply 4 in. of water in July, but that was the only irrigation needed. Plant health was superb at harvest. Average yield was 284.2 bu./acre on the early season test and 279.1 bu./acre on the full-season test. Columbus, NE – Corn

The corn crop at the Mission Hill, NE, location got off to a great start. But, cooler-than-normal temperatures caused crop development to lag all season. The average yield was 228.6 bu./acre on the early season test and 219.4 bu./acre on the full-season test. Mission Hill, NE – Corn

Rains throughout the growing season were timely, but not excessive at the Beresford, SD, location. However, temperatures were cooler than normal which delayed maturity and drydown of the corn. The average yields of 201.9 bu./acre on the early season test and 195.5 bu./acre on the full-season test were very satisfactory. Beresford, SD – Corn

Pennsylvania Southeast and Central
Robin Kauffman

The Lebanon, PA, location had a very good growing season. Some stalk lodging was noted at harvest on Nov. 10. Average yield was 217.6 bu./acre on the all-season test. Lebanon, PA – Corn

The growing season was extremely wet and cool at the Centre Hall and Spring Grove, PA, locations. But, overall yields were above what was expected. The Centre Hall, PA, site had an average yield of 202.8 bu./acre on the all-season test, and the Spring Grove, PA, site produced 216.6 bu./acre on the all-season test.
Centre Hall, PA – Corn
Spring Grove, PA – Corn

Wisconsin South, North Central Tri-State, Iowa North Central, Iowa North and Iowa Northwest
Jason Beyers

Planting was early at the Rinard, IA, location, but cool, wet conditions followed for a long period of time, which hurt emergence some. However, the yield here was still excellent. Average yield was 220.4 bu./acre on the early season test and 225.8 bu/acre on the full-season test. Rinard, IA – Corn

The Saratoga, IN, location produced a uniform crop. There was some evidence of mold on the ears at harvest on Nov. 11, but ear retention was excellent, and the corn shelled nicely because of nice solid cobs.The ultra-early test had an average yield of 221.8 bu./acre. Average yield was 212.7 bu./acre on the early season test and 203 bu./acre on the full-season test.
Saratoga, IN – Ultra-Early Corn
Saratoga, IA – Early and Full-Season Corn

The Waterloo, IA, location had a great start with excellent emergence. However, mid-season played havoc with everything. Hail damage impacted 25-30% of the field and caused a high percentage of green snap. Average yield was 162.5 bu./acre on the early season test and 171.6 bu./acre on the full-season test. Waterloo, IA – Corn

The Manchester, IA, location experienced wet conditions most of the season, which stressed all hybrids. There were a variety of molds present on the ears at harvest. Average yield was 191 bu./acre on the early season test and 200.4 bu./acre on the full-season test. Manchester, IA – Corn

The Postville, IA, location had excellent yields, averaging 233.5 bu./acre on the early season test and 230.7 bu./acre on the full-season test. No disease, stalk or root issues were present, however, test weights were low. Postville, IA – Corn

Emergence was excellent at the Riceville, IA, location. The growing season was fairly good, but summer was cool and wet. Some of the later-maturing hybrids received an early frost before maturing fully. Average yield was 212 bu./acre on the ultra-early test; 204.9 bu./acre on the early season test and 205.4 bu./acre on the full-season test.
Riceville, IA – Ultra-Early Corn
Riceville, IA – Early and Full-Season Corn

The Warren, IL, location experienced cool, wet conditions following planting, and later-maturity hybrids were frosted before reaching black layer. Cobs were extremely soft at harvest. Average yield was 178.3 bu./acre on the early season test and 192.3 bu./acre on the full-season test. Warren, IL – Corn

The Arlington, Oregon and Spring Green, WI, locations all yielded well. Conditions at these plots were wet early on, but turned dry in June and July. The Arlington, WI, location averaged 214 bu./acre on the early season test and 205.5 bu./acre on the full-seaon test. The Oregon, WI, location had an average yield of 194.9 bu./acre on the early season test and 185.5 bu./acre on the full-season test. The Spring Green, WI, site averaged 220.2 bu./acre on the early season test and 226.7 bu./acre on the full-season test.
Arlington, WI – Corn
Oregon, WI – Corn
Spring Green, WI – Corn

The Elkhorn, WI, location produced healthy plants, but plants were short due to wet conditions in the spring followed by dry weather in July. Some mold was present on the kernels and ear at harvest on Nov. 12. The early and full-season tests had different soil types, which resulted in some yield difference. Average on the early season test was 193.6 bu./acre, while average on the full-season test was 156.4 bu./acre. Elkhorn, WI – Corn

Stalk quality deteriorated to the point that some hybrids had significant lodging at harvest Nov. 12 on the Watertown, WI, site. There were also several molds present on the ears. Cobs were also soft, which made harvest a challenge. Average yield was 203.7 bu./acre on the early season test and 183.4 bu./acre on the full-season test. Watertown, WI – Corn

More than 20 F.I.R.S.T. corn trials were harvested this week, with excellent yields reported in many of the locations. Sites with the highest yields tended to show excellent emergence and favorable growing conditions throughout the season.

Corn growers can deliver more bushels to the bin with Poncho^® 500 seed-applied insecticide. Rigorous testing shows Poncho 500 offers improved control of wireworms, black cutworms and many other important early season pests. In 29 trials in 2007-08, CRW-trait corn treated with Poncho 500 outyielded the seed-applied fungicide base trials by an average of 10.7 bu/A. For more information on the benefits of Poncho 500, visit www.BayerCropScienceUS.com.

F.I.R.S.T. SOYBEAN PROGRESS REPORT
Mid-Atlantic
Rob Kauffman

The Lebanon, PA, location, experienced plenty of rain through the growing season. The average yield was 67.4 bu./acre. Lebanon, PA – Soybean

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

To unsubscribe from this newsletter go to: Unsubscribe

To subscribe to this newsletter, go to: Subscribe

You are subscribed to this newsletter as #email#

To get this newsletter in a different format (Text or HTML), or to change your e-mail address, please visit your profile page to change your delivery preferences.

For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our Customer Service Department at:
Customer Service Department
Corn & Soybean Digest
A Penton Media publication
US Toll Free: 866-505-7173 International: 847-763-9504 Email:cornandsoybeandigest@pbinews.com

Penton Media | 249 W. 17th Street | New York, NY 10011

Copyright 2009, Penton Media. All rights reserved. This article is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of Penton Media.