Every farmer I know is interested in extra yield. I am, too!
While there are thousands of variables that affect corn yield, we can conduct on-farm tests to see what matters most. That’s why I’ll conduct flag tests this spring to track corn emergence dates and see how it affects yield this fall.
Here are the steps I’ll take to conduct this test:
- Measure off 1/1,000th of an acre that is representative of the field.
- Place a colored flag beside the first set of corn seedlings as they spike.
- Return to the field 24 hours later and mark the next group of emerged plants, using a different colored flag.
- Return every 24 hours to mark the subsequent waves of emerging corn plants until the test row has fully emerged.
- Harvest the plants according to the day of emergence. Record test weight and yield differences to see if it was affected by the emergence date.
We’d like to see every corn plant emerge within 24 hours of each other. Many studies show that plants emerging on Day 2 of emergence can have a 10% yield loss compared to the first plants that emerged. The yield decrease can be close to 40% for plants that emerge on Day 3, and those plants that emerge on Day 4 can have a yield loss of more than 80%.
The reason behind some yield loss is because the bigger corn plants take water and nutrients away from the smaller “brother plants.” Plants that emerge first get established sooner, and they do not leave much to feed the runts.
Planting Conditions Are Crucial
We all want to see picket-fence corn stands, so we must do all that we can to help corn seedlings emerge consistently. As part of Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center this season, we will plant learning blocks using TuneUp + Corn with ether to see how it helps seedlings emerge more uniformly.
Trying to cut corners to save time during the planting season can affect your harvest.
To avoid paying the price at harvest, keep these best practices in mind:
- Prepare your planter before you hit the field. Make sure the disc openers and scrapers are in optimal condition.
- Look at the closing system on your plant to ensure it’s closing the seed trench well.
- Add some sort of starter to help those plants get out of the ground easier.
- Make sure the field conditions are fit for planting because the stand is greatly affected by field conditions at planting.
- Don’t push soil moisture and temperature.
- Consider the forecast as weather events also can affect emergence.
- Take time to check planter depth and seed spacing with your handy, dandy Latham® seed depth indicator.
These are just a few things I try to be mindful of in the spring because I know it impacts fall yield. Let’s help our crops get off to a good start, so we can fill our bins with as many bushels as possible this fall.
Make it a great spring and be safe!
Here is a Prokosch family favorite recipe that keeps their whole crew warm.
Ham Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 3½ cups peeled, diced potatoes
- 3¼ cups water or stock
- ¾ cup diced or cubed ham
- ⅓ cup celery, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- Watkins chicken soup seasoning
- Pepper, to taste
- 5 tbsp butter
- 5 tbsp flour*
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Add potatoes, water/stock, ham, celery, and onion to stockpot. Bring to a boil, and simmer until potatoes are tender.
- Add Watkins seasoning and pepper to taste.
- In a separate pan, melt butter and add flour. Stir and cook until thick. Then slowly whisk in milk, tablespoon at a time.
- Add milk mixture to the stockpot, but do not boil. Adjust seasonings to taste.
