Heads Up! Corn Plot SW of Wheaton

This plot was beautiful at one time but lack of rain on a lighter-soil piece of soil changes things. Heavy drought pressure would make you think that the AquaMax corn would do well. The results:

Pioneer P0062amx      - 147.5 bu/a     20.3%     48.8# - Aquamax
Dekalb DKC49-29rib  - 132.7 bu/a     18.8%     49.9#
Pioneer P9917amx      - 149.9 bu/a      18.1%     53.6# **********
Pioneer P9675amx      - 132.1 bu/a      17.1%     52.1#
Dekalb DKC46-20rib  - 139.0 bu/a      17.3%     53.7#
Pioneer P9526yhr        - 142.0 bu/a      16.9%     52.5# - AquaMax

The end result was that the 2 AquaMax and P9917amx(with a real high drought score) did show up to be the highest in the plot. The 2 - 100day hybrids didn't make maturity either as they died early as evidenced by the extremely low test weight.

Heads Up! Corn Plot along Johnson Tar

This plot was found along the Johnson tar between Herman and Wheaton. Good plot location and like alot of fields, went under moisture stress. The results:

Dekalb DKC43-27     151.6 bu/a     15.5% - had 5 gal/a 6-24-6 starter fert + 5oz/a Ascend
Pioneer P9675amx     135.9 bu/a     17.5%
Dekalb DKC46-20     146.2 bu/a     18.5%
Pioneer P9917amx     142.3 bu/a     19.0%
Dekalb DKC48-12     140.2 bu/a     18.5%
Pioneer P0062amx     140.6 bu/a     20.0% - was broke over
Dekalb DKC49-29     143.3 bu/a     20.5%
Dekalb DKC43-27     153.7 bu/a     16.0% - had 5 gal/a 6-24-6 starter fert + 5oz/a Ascend

The yields were pretty much the same except for the starter fert/Ascend-apllied strips. They were 10-12 bu/a better and 2-4% dryer. Pioneer didn't win this plot and P9917 did not stick out as in other plots. Proof that we show you all the data, not just the cherry-picked data. No one company or hybrid wins everything.

Competitive Corn Plot SW of Wheaton

This plot was on ground that received almost no rain in August or September. Was harvested on 10/10/13. The corn definitely died early. The results:

Dekalb 50-66 -              156.1 bu/a     17.6%     51.9#
Dekalb 43-48 -              165.6 bu/a     16.6%     54.0#
Pioneer P9366xr -         139.7 bu/a     16.6%     53.7#
Channel 195-58stxrib - 163.5 bu/a     17.3%     51.2#
Dekalb 50-66 -              148.8 bu/a     17.9%     52.0#
Pioneer P9526amx -      161.3 bu/a     18.1%     54.2#
Channel 196-77stxrib -  150.2 bu/a     17.7%     54.3#
Dekalb 46-20rib -          156.8 bu/a     18.4%     54.2#
Channel 196-06stxrib -  149.5 bu/a     17.9%     53.5#
Channel 197-68stxrib -  160.8 bu/a     19.4%     52.5#
Dekalb 50-66vt3 -          158.1 bu/a     15.3%     53.3#
Dekalb 48-12rib -           166.3 bu/a     18.5%     52.6#
Pioneer P9917amx -       167.1 bu/a     18.5%     55.0# **********
Dekalb 49-29rib -           153.4 bu/a     19.0%     53.6#
Dekalb 50-83rib -           165.3 bu/a     19.0%     54.3#
Dekalb 50-66vt3 -          150.1 bu/a     17.6%     53.3#
Pioneer P0062amx -       132.6 bu/a     20.4%     51.1#
Pioneer P0193am1 -       134.2 bu/a     20.3%     50.9#

Pioneer P9917 (in blue) was the top yielder in the plot but there were 6 others (in red) that made over 160 bu/a. As in the other plots, the 100 day hybrids and higher showed a lot more negative effects from the drought as compared to the earlier hybrids.

Jorschumb Corn Plot by Wheaton

On 10/10/13 we harvested the corn plot located just 1 mile east of Wheaton. The results were alittle better than our warehouse plot. The results:
100 day Hybrids+:
Pioneer P0297xr -      149.3 bu/a     25.1%     52.0#
Pioneer 36V51 -         156.1 bu/a     23.1%     53.1#
Pioneer P0193am1 -   142.5 bu/a     25.5%     51.6#
Pioneer P0062amx -   146.8 bu/a     22.5%     49.2#
97-99 day Hybrids:
Dekalb DKC49-29 -   157.5 bu/a     21.4%     52.9#
Pioneer P9917amx -   173.7 bu/a     20.9%     54.4# **********
Pioneer P9834hr -       150.5 bu/a     22.8%     50.9#
94-96 day Hybrids:
Pioneer P9630amx -    151.9 bu/a     19.8%     52.5#
Dekalb DKC46-20 -    150.8 bu/a     18.4%     52.6#
Pioneer P9675amx -    146.0 bu/a     18.2%     54.4#
Pioneer P9526amx -    149.2 bu/a     18.5%     54.7#
93 day and under Hybrids:
Pioneer P9366xr -        135.2 bu/a     17.9%     53.3#
Dekalb DKC43-48 -     136.2 bu/a     17.8%     50.9#
Pioneer P9305yhr -       138.7 bu/a     17.2%     52.3#
Pioneer P9284yhr -       126.7 bu/a     17.6%     53.9#
Pioneer P8954am1 -      127.9 bu/a     15.8%     52.9#

We again learned mainly one thing, that is that P9917amx is dominant! It is really the only hybrid that stuck out in the plot. P9917 was 15 bu/a better than the next closest hybrid and is 20 bu/a better than most.

Warehouse Show Plot Results - Corn

On 10/10/13 we harvested the corn show plot across the road from the warehouse. I can't say we learned a lot as this plot got burned up by lack of rain. At one time it was an outstanding plot but you just need more rain than what we got to get great yields. The results:
100 day+ Hybrids:
Pioneer P0533am1 -     153.4 bu/a     19.8%     51.9#
Pioneer 0297xr -           138.8 bu/a     19.8%     52.7#
Pioneer 36V51 -            142.9 bu/a     19.8%     51.9#
Pioneer P0193am -       137.2 bu/a     20.5%     51.7#
Pioneer P0062amx -      137.3 bu/a     19.8%    51.2#
97-99 day Hybrids:
Dekalb DKC49-29 -      132.3 bu/a     19.0%    53.2#
Pioneer P9917amx -      162.7 bu/a     18.2%    52.9# **********
Pioneer P9834hr -          146.1 bu/a     18.9%    51.3#
94-96 day Hybrids:
Pioneer P9630amx -      126.7 bu/a      16.9%    51.6#
Dekalb DKC46-20 -      149.3 bu/a      16.9%    52.9#
Pioneer P9675amx -      134.9 bu/a      16.0%    52.9#
Pioneer P9526amx -      128.9 bu/a      15.5%    52.9#
92-93 day Hybrids:
Pioneer P9366xr -          122.7 bu/a      15.0%    51.6#
Dekalb DKC43-48 -       125.5 bu/a      14.8%    51.9#
Pioneer P9305yhr -         117.6 bu/a      14.7%    52.8#

We did learn one thing, only one hybrid rose above the drought and heat and showed itself as the clear winner. That was P9917amx which was 10 bu/a better than any other hybrid and 25 bu/a better than most. P9917 has a very high drought tolerance score and it showed.

Low soybean yields?

An earlier entry in this blog this fall, I talked about Charcoal Rot and how it might be affecting yield without us knowing it. There could be another reason for lower-than-expected yields in soybean fields and that would be chemical damage from late applications of herbicide for waterhemp control. I had the opportunity to weigh a comparison of beans that were sprayed late with a contact-type herbicide for waterhemp control vs. non-sprayed beans. The results:
Non-sprayed soybeans - 58.83 bu/a
Sprayed soybeans        - 40.10 bu/a

I don't think you will see that kind of yield loss of 18 bu/a everywhere and maybe no yield loss at all but if you have a bean field that just doesn't yield up, it might not be the variety, it might not be charcoal rot, it might be late-herbicide applications.

Yost - Sorenson Soybean Plot

This plot was right next to our seed-treatment plot listed earlier. It did receive hail over the whole plot at about 15%. The results:

Pioneer P05T24r    -  46.5 bu/a  -  11.2%
Pioneer 90Y70       -  36.9 bu/a  -  11.3%
Pioneer 90M80      -  38.7 bu/a  -  10.7%
Pioneer 90Y81       -  42.7 bu/a  -  10.7%
Pioneer P10T91r    -  43.3 bu/a  -  11.2%
Pioneer 91Y10       -  40.8 bu/a  -  11.4%
Pioneer 91Y30       -  41.5 bu/a  -  11.6%
AsGrow 1431        -  40.8 bu/a  -  13.2%
Pioneer 91Y41       -  42.8 bu/a  -  12.2%
Pioneer P16T04r    -  57.8 bu/a  -  12.4%
Pioneer 91Y70       -  39.4 bu/a  -  14.4%
Pioneer 91Y81       -  41.2 bu/a  -  14.0%
Pioneer P19T60r    -  53.9 bu/a  -  12.2%

The hail seemed to even out the plot alot but two varieties really stuck out and I mean really stuck out! Both P19T60r and P16T04r's were 10 bu/a better than everything but they also had the cleanest samples. Our combine driver doesn't usually notice much visual differences between varieties but in this plot he could pick them out easily from the combine. One is a 1.6 maturity and the other is listed as a 1.9 maturity bean but both acted earlier in the plot. They were around 12.2-12.4% moisture.

Anderson Soybean Test Plot

This plot is 5-6 miles north of Wheaton along Hwy 75. Planted in 30" rows on June 4, harvested on October 2. This plot didn't have as much variability as some others. The results:

Pioneer 90Y41    - 50.0 bu/a
Pioneer P05T24r - 51.4 bu/a
Pioneer 90Y70    - 48.1 bu/a
Pioneer 90M80   - 51.5 bu/a
Pioneer 90Y81    - 47.4 bu/a
Pioneer P10T91r - 50.3 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y10    - 54.2 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y30    - 47.0 bu/a
AsGrow 1431      - 49.2 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y41     - 58.1 bu/a
Pioneer P16T04r  - 52.9 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y70     - 49.1 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y81     - 40.1 bu/a
Pioneer P19T60r  - 55.2 bu/a

  The results again show 91Y10 to be a major force in yield for this year. 91Y41 was high but hasn't been very consistent to put alot into that yield. It is quite fussy about where it gets planted. The P19T60 is obviously a very high yielding bean but it is a 1.9 bean that acted more like a 1.7 maturity bean for us so it obviously moves north out of it's zone well. It is for those who want a late bean. The P16T04r is a 1.6 maturity bean that didn't like our Warehouse plot but did very, very well in the next plots. We'll keep on eye on this one for you. Pioneer 91Y10 is the real winner here being a 1.1 maturity bean that can go on good and tougher ground both.

First Corn Plot of 2013 - Norcross Area

This is the first competitive corn plot results I've seen so far. It is from the Norcross area and was harvested on October 1. The results:

Pioneer 36V51           -  20.5%  - 53.1#  -  182.4 bu/a
Pioneer P9917amx     -  21.2%  - 56.3#  -  178.8 bu/a
Dekalb DKC49-29rib -  21.0%  - 55.6#  -  168.0 bu/a
Pioneer P0062amx     -  20.8%  -  53.9#  -  170.1 bu/a
Dekalb DKC46-20     -  19.2%  -  55.0#  -  152.6 bu/a
Pioneer P9526amx     -  19.0%  -  56.6#  -  169.6 bu/a
Wensman 7268vt3p   -  19.6%  -  54.3#  -  152.7 bu/a
Dekalb DKC43-10     -  17.8%  -  55.9#  -  169.7 bu/a
Pioneer P9305am       -  19.5%  -  55.5#  -  162.7 bu/a
Dekalb DKC43-48rib -  17.7%  -  55.7#  -  147.4 bu/a
Dekalb DKC43-30      -  16.9%  -  57.3#  -  165.6 bu/a

This is a drier field environment but it looks like P9917 is starting here where it ended last year, right on top. 36V51 and P0062 did well also. Pioneer P9526amx is a new 95 day that we will have to watch this year. It is an early 95 day and seemed to handle the dry weather quite well. P9305am is a new 93 day that did well also. A good start for Pioneer, it looks like the excellent drought-tolerance scores we enjoy are paying off.

Jorschumb Soybean Test Plot

This plot was located just east of Wheaton on the Norcross tar. There are a couple things to learn from this plot and I'll talk about them after the results. The results are:
Pioneer 90Y41    - 50.7 bu/a
Pioneer P05T24r - 46.2 bu/a
Pioneer 90Y70    - 48.9 bu/a
Pioneer 90M80    - 42.3 bu/a
Pioneer 90Y81     - 47.6 bu/a
Pioneer P10T91r  - 53.2 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y10     - 53.7 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y30     - 49.1 bu/a
AsGrow AG1431 - 44.4 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y41     - 43.6 bu/a
Pioneer P16T04r  - 55.0 bu/a
Pioneer 91Y70     - 43.0 bu/a
Pioneer P19T60r  - 60.6 bu/a

   Colored in blue are the top 4 varieties in the plot. Three of them are brand new and the results are outstanding. The other variety, 91Y10, is also new. What sets the 91Y10 apart however is that it is the only one of the top four not seed-treated. That is a major plus for that variety in this plot.
   Colored in red are 4 varieties that didn't do so well in this plot but all showed signs of a disease called charcoal root rot. I didn't know alot about this disease but luckily our account manager Jim Kokett was observing the plot harvest and he did. Charcoal Rot is showing up quite often this year and is most prevalent in years with a cool wet rainy period early in the growing season, followed by a hot, dry late summer. Sound familiar? The most obvious symptom is leaves hanging on the bean stalks at harvest time. If you take those plants and split them at ground level, you'll find grayish-black spotting in the phloem tissues of the stalk. Varieties will differ on how they handle charcoal rot and the varieties marked in red exhibited reduced yields because of it. If you find that you have a field of beans that exhibited the symptoms of leaves hanging on the stalk as well as less than expected yields, let me know as I'd like to check to see if Charcoal Rot is the problem. Google up Charcoal Rot if you'd like to see what it looks like.

Soybean Seed Treatment Plot

This plot was north of Wheaton and although the majority of growers use a seed treatment on their seed beans, it's always good to keep checking on the value of it. The variety of beans is Pioneer 90M80 and were planted in 30" rows. All of the treatments used a base of Apronmaxx for fungicide but we changed the added adjuvant each time. This whole plot did receive hail damage also.

Fung. + WC117  -    36.4 bu/a
Fung. + WC150  -    44.8 bu/a
Fung. + Generate  -  37.4 bu/a
Fung. + BioBoost  - 40.6 bu/a (our regular treatment at South Valley Seed)
Untreated Check   -  35.7 bu/a
Fung. + Marathon -  42.4 bu/a
Fung. + WC35      -  41.6 bu/a
Fung. + WC115    -  39.9 bu/a

As you see, all of the treatments were greater than the untreated with WC117 and Generate being the two treatments that didn't show much of a response. Our in-house treatment plots over the past 5 years have shown around 80% of the comparisons between non-seed treated beans vs. seed treated beans were worth the investment. This year looks no different.