Planning Pays

Agronomist: Corn Yield Potential Is Set Up Front

PARAGOULD, ARK.
   Ways to maximize corn yields were outlined recently by Dr. Jason Kelley, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture wheat and feed grains extension agronomist.


Dr. Jason Kelley, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture wheat
and feed grains extension agronomist, discusses ways to maximize corn yields.
Photo by John LaRose, Jr.

   “This past year in Arkansas we set a record state average yield of 187 bushels per acre,” he began. “Producers overall had excellent yields and in many instances the highest yields they had ever seen on their farms. They now are hoping to be able to repeat that again this coming year.”
   Outlining the efforts that will pay off in yields, he mentioned first that farmers should start with the right field.  Fields planted to corn should have excellent drainage; without that, yields will be automatically limited most years. He also urged farmers to know the herbicides that were applied in the field the previous year.
   “We’ve had some problems where residual soybean herbicides were applied the previous year and carried over and caused problems on the following corn crop,” Kelley said. “We have also had some corn going in behind Clearfield rice, so both of those instances caused problems that the corn just didn’t grow off very well, and in the end limited our yields.  If you start off with a herbicide carryover problem it will be hard to maximize yields.”
   Though corn prices are down compared to the last couple years, Kelley was hoping prices would reach $4.50 per bushel or more. Lower grain prices make it imperative that producers look at their budgets a little bit closer and aim for the maximum yields.
   “Getting everything planted right up front by putting corn in the right fields and planting at the proper time will make a big difference. Maximum yield potential is set when the planter leaves the field and with our management later in the season we are just maintaining the yield potential we set at planting,” he said.
   He suggested that in northeast Arkansas planting irrigated corn anytime during the month of April is a good time. Also, farmers need to plant the right amount of corn, so they end up with the right plant populations.
   “On most of our irrigated corn, 38 inch rows, 30 inch rows, or 38 inch twin rows,  I want to shoot for about 32,000 to 34,000 plants per acre,” Kelley said. “We can plant a lot more seed but most of the time we’re not going to increase yields greatly by increasing plant populations over 34,000 plants per acre.  We’re going to spend a lot more money and increase the risk of lodging with higher plant populations. For every 1,000 seeds we plant, we spend about $3.75 per acre, so planting more seed than is needed can quickly add up. There’s a lot more risk of lodging and more money spent with those higher plant populations.
   “In general, corn yield potential is set up front,” he said. “Avoid the problem fields where we may have limited yields, don’t plant too early, month of April to me is ideal; early March plantings most years are too early and there are some risks associated with early planting such as poor stands and late spring freezes.  Then aim for the right plant population. These efforts really get us off to a good start, and then we can do a lot of other things timely to get those maximum yields.”
   His take-home message for maximum corn yields and profitability in 2014 begins with avoiding the problem fields.
   “Select the best field you can plant corn into, the most well drained, the field you can water the best,” Kelley said. “Our yields in most years are limited by water – either too much early in the season or too little later in the season, So pick the fields you can get the water off of, and also irrigate properly later on in the season.
   “Don’t plant too early. March plantings most years are probably too early. The month of April is a better time frame. Corn is going to come up a little quicker with April plantings; you’re probably going to have better stands and ultimately better yields.
   “Then consider plant population. I’m going to shoot for about 32,000-34,000 plants per acre, more than that we’re probably spending more money than we should,” he summed.
   Those are three key things that are important to get the corn off to a good start for maximum yields.∆
   BETTY VALLE GEGG-NAEGER: Senior Staff Writer, MidAmerica Farmer Grower