FOLEY, Minn. — This is the time of year where excellent notes taken during the growing season can make certain decisions a lot easier. I usually start with pest management plans and how they performed over the course of the season. This is due to the impact of soybean varietal and corn hybrid performance versus many of the disease and pests that are in fields and its impact on proper field placement. In weed management I am reminded each year to stop treating every field as if it is the same and to start viewing them as different football fields, each one is unique. There may be similarities, but it doesn’t take long to identify the differences. The
When selecting corn hybrids, remember that the rate of genetic improvement by year of hybrid release is about 2 bushels an acre. This means that staying current in your hybrid decisions is going to be important not just in the short term but also year over year. Also be mindful of the cost of the different hybrids and their potential yields. Always look at multiple, reliable, and replicated yield trials, preferably with statistical results such as with the use of a Least Significant Difference (LSD) value. While some of these types of resources are more difficult to understand, taking the time to work through the information will save you time and money by removing potentially risky hybrid selections. There are other options if statistics are not available to help with evaluations such as using a percentile or yield index. More information on hybrid selection can be found by going to the Minnesota Crop News Blog and reading Jeff Coulter’s post; “Advance corn hybrid selection with new trial results”. Yield trial reports from across the state can be found by going to https://varietytrials.umn.edu/, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association website, and FIRST test results.
Similarities abound when looking at soybean variety and corn hybrid selection. Looking at yield trials that are replicated, reliable, and across multiple locations with similar environments and soil types is just as important. For disease and pest issues such as white mold, soybean cyst nematodes (SCN), and sudden death syndrome (SDS) varietal selection is an important part of their management. Remember that selecting seed based on price does not indicate if those varieties are going to do well. Selecting varieties based on field specifics will determine success or failure.
If you have questions on the above information, please feel free to email me at ndrewitz@umn.edu, or call at 608-515-4414. To receive future events, educational programming, and agronomic updates by email, signup at z.umn.edu/tricountysignup.
— Nathan Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension
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