Five Things to Remember in Corn Production

The following are the five key technologies[1] one should remember in pursuit of better profitability in corn: Seed selection – choose the best adapted hybrid for your area and your needs. Plant population – ensure proper planting distance; each hybrid you choose has specific recommended planting distance or seeding rate. Balanced fertilization – follow the recommended fertilization rate for your field; even better would be soil analysis for your field. Pest control – timely and effective control or management of diseases, insect pests, and weeds; you get to know them. Water management – take note of the critical stages where your corn needs the most water and where it is most sensitive to water stress Selecting the Best Corn Hybrid A farmer needs to spend time evaluating the quality of his previous corn crops and think of possible ways to improve and maximize harvest in the next season. The following are a few helpful tips in selecting the corn hybrid: Check yield consistency across locations and over years. Stability in yield is very important in choosing hybrids since the environment is more significant than individual management practices. For sure, this year’s growing season won’t be the same as last year. Such seasonal differences will surely surprise growers who rely so much on limited observations. However, in selecting a hybrid, take note that possession of a particular trait, such as big ears, many kernel rows, deep kernels, prolificacy, or upright leaves do not ensure high yields. Instead, look for stability in performance across environments. Know your hybrid’s maturity. If you planted late in the dry season, select an early-maturing hybrid so you could avoid the rains during the harvesting and drying period. With full season hybrids, physiological maturity or “black layer” formation will be late resulting in inadequate kernel maturity, wet grains (high moisture), and challenging and costly post-harvest environment at the onset of the wet season. Generally, full season hybrids (>110 days) usually outyield early maturing ones. However, recently developed short maturing hybrids can produce the same yield as the full season types. It is best therefore to take a look at your chosen hybrid’s maturity profile from brochures, flyers, and even from agronomists assigned in your area. Take advantage of new genetics. It has always been proven that new elite genetics will outperform the old ones. Current hybrids in the market are more tolerant to diseases, high density planting, and even drought. Use hybrids with good agronomics. By these we mean good tolerance to various environmental stresses in the form of diseases, insect pests, and strong winds. Likewise critical is the standability or the ability of the roots and stalks to withstand high winds. High incidence of lodging will definitely slow down harvest and decrease yield in both quantity and quality. Things to check for can be thick stalk rind (genetic stalk strength plant height), ear placement, and resistance to stalk diseases. Plant only high-quality seeds with excellent emergence potential. Make sure to get your seeds from companies that strive for excellent seed quality and after-sales customer service. Know you target market. Tall, leafy hybrids can be an ideal choice for the silage market while those targeting feed millers should rely on hybrids with good protein levels. For processing, oil and starch content will be important. In Mindanao, white corn grits generally command a better price than yellow grains and has good consumer base. Hence, pay attention to the kind of market you want and adjust your hybrid choices accordingly. Talk to your local Pioneer representative about performance data and other selection criteria. Because weather conditions are unpredictable the reliable way to select hybrids is to consider performance (from company trials) last year and this year over a wide range of environments and locations. Don’t rely too heavily on on farm strip tests or on just one trial location because it cannot predict hybrid performance in different conditions. On-farm trials however can be useful in getting certain traits evaluated such as harvestability (ease of harvesting). grain quality, disease resistance, and lodging tolerance.

Additional information can also be obtained from your agronomist regarding the need for insect resistance (corn) and new weed management options (glyphosate-tolerant corn) in your area depending on what time of the year. You can also consult for other minor considerations before you purchase. These may include certain management interactions with your hybrid corn from plant population, tillage, soil fertility, crop rotation, etc.