“Buy the Traits You Need” - The honor roll of top-performing corn hybrids tested in 2012

The principles for selecting corn hybrids in the transgenic era include: 1) using independent yield trial data and multi-location averages, 2) evaluating consistency of performance, 3) assuming that every hybrid must stand on its own for performance, 4) paying attention to seed costs, and 5) buying the traits you need. This publication addresses the principle of “Buying the traits you need.”

There are numerous sources of independent yield trial data, but few of these sources summarize data over numerous locations for the same set of hybrids. In the UW Corn Hybrid Performance Trials publication (A3653), multi-location averages are presented in Tables 7-22.

As farmers make hybrid selection decisions they must consider buying hybrids with the traits they need for their farming operation. Often farmers do not need all the traits sold in hybrids. For example, the corn rootworm trait is not usually required for production fields in northern Wisconsin. “Buying the traits you need” can be confusing due to the number of hybrids and transgenic technologies available to farmers. Tables 1 (silage) and 2 (grain) list hybrids that were starred for both yield AND performance index(ices). They are sorted by trait cohorts. For details about the specific transgenic technology and performance see A3653.

Evaluating consistency of performance is done by considering yield for individual locations in A3653 Tables 7-22. Also, consistency can be evaluated using Table 2 (Hybrid Index) and Table 23 (Hybrid History).

Transgenic technologies interact with the underlying genetic germplasm of hybrids within a “family.” These interactions can often result in poor performance. Always assume that every hybrid must stand on its own for performance when selecting hybrids. Do not select hybrids from genetic “families.”

A downloadable spreadsheet that can help calculate seed costs between two hybrids is at http://corn.agronomy.wisc.edu/Season/DSS.aspx.

Highlights for Wisconsin Corn Production during 2012

Most people would like to forget the 2012 growing season, especially many farmers in southern Wisconsin. The season was dominated by extreme drought conditions that started early (Figure 1). These conditions would not be relieved as the season progressed.

Due to warmer than normal conditions during March, planting started quickly and then was delayed by wet conditions around May 1. Over the entire growing season, growing degree-day accumulation was above the 30-year normal. During May, June, and July, precipitation was significantly below average in southern Wisconsin, while northern Wisconsin had above-average precipitation. Drought conditions continued through August and September in the southern half of Wisconsin and were also observed in the northern half of the state. Due to a dry and relatively warm September and October, good grain drying occurred, with harvest grain moisture lower than normal in all trials. Test weight was above average for most locations. Little insect or disease pressure was observed in most trials. Fall weather conditions, although dry, were ideal for harvest and fall farm work.

Figure 1. U.S. drought monitor on July 17, 2012. Southern Wisconsin was hit with extreme drought that would not be relieved during the remainder of the growing season.

Grain and silage yields were below the 10-year average at most sites (Tables 1 and 3). Locations that were significantly below the 10-year average included the southern zone (Arlington, Janesville, and Lancaster) and sites with sandy soils (Chippewa Falls and Spooner).

Table 1. Corn grain yield (bushels/Acre) of hybrids grown at various locations in Wisconsin during 2012. The percent change is the relative change for corn yield during 2012 compared to the 10-year average from 2002-2011. N= the number of hybrids tested at each location.

Even though production was below normal, grain yield was not as bad as 1988 (Table 2). Nearly every location was affected by drought, except for the irrigated site located at Hancock.

Table 2. Corn grain yield (bushels/Acre) of hybrids grown at various locations in Wisconsin during 1988. The percent change is the relative change for corn yield during 1988 compared to the 10-year average from1978-1987. N= the number of hybrids tested at each location.

Table 3. Corn forage yield (Tons Dry Matter/Acre) of hybrids grown at various locations in Wisconsin during 2012. The percent change is the relative change for corn yield during 2012 compared to the 10-year average from 2002-2011. N= the number of hybrids tested at each location.

Record yields in spite of the drought

For grain performances over a zone (South central), the top yielding hybrid was G2 Genetics 5H-806 at 259 bu/A. For a location (Hancock), the top yielding hybrid, G2 Genetics 5H-0504, set the highest location record yield at 299 bu/A. In the South central zone, 8 of the top 10 hybrids set record yields for the zone. Fifteen hybrids broke into the All-time Top 50 list for a location. All were grown in the South Central production zone.

For silage performances over a zone (South central), the top yielding hybrid was Dairyland EXP-11302 at 11.3 T/A. For a location (Galesville), the top yielding hybrid was Dairyland EXP-11302 at 12.3 T/A. In the Northern zone, 8 of the top 10 hybrids set record yields for the zone.

For a complete report on commercial hybrids for corn production in Wisconsin see 2012 WISCONSIN CORN HYBRID PERFORMANCE TRIALS Grain - Silage - Specialty - Organic December 2012  A3653.

University of Wisconsin Crop Variety Trial Results Are Available to Farmers

One of the most important decisions a farmer makes is the selection of high performing adapted hybrids and varieties. Selecting the correct hybrid/variety can often mean the difference between profit and loss. Plant breeders and agronomists test thousands of commercial and new experimental lines for several years at many locations over a range of plant populations and other management practices. Performance trials determine which hybrids/varieties have yielding ability superior to current cultivars and estimate disease resistance and other important characteristics.

Results from the 2012 crop variety trials conducted by the University of Wisconsin can be found at the websites below. These trials are a "consumer report" of commercial varieties and hybrids offered for sale to farmers in Wisconsin. These results are derived from replicated plots grown around Wisconsin at university research stations and farmer fields, and offer the best predictor for next year's potential performance.

2012 Corn Hybrid Performance Trial Results

2012 Soybean Variety Test Results

2012 Forage Variety Update

2013 Oats and barley performance test results

2012 Winter wheat performance test results