We’ve just wrapped up our 2024 Corn Test Plot, and the results have provided valuable insights into how different corn varieties performed under real-world field conditions. This year’s plot featured 23 varieties from various seed companies, offering a diverse comparison in a controlled yet challenging environment. The test plot was located at our Krizan – Home Farm in Delta, Ohio. This farm offers some variable sandy loam soil types which helps provide data of corn in a stressful environment. The season’s weather conditions, including a D2 drought during most of the growing season, further tested the resilience of these corn varieties on some droughty sandy soils.
Test Plot Overview
The corn test plot was planted on May 14, 2024, at a seeding rate of 34,000 seeds per acre. The corn is planted in 30-inch rows with 2×2 mix of 10/34/0 and 28% N fertilizer applied. The previous crop on the field was wheat with Red Clover spread in the wheat during the growing season. The field is managed using conventional tillage with a rye cover crop on the lighter soils (1/2-3/4 of this 37.8 acres has rye spread annually). Vertical Ag sprayed the field with Veltyma fungicide, an insecticide, and a foliar product from BW Fusion called AmiNo. The drone sprayed across the rows to ensure no variability in passes through the plot. It was sprayed on July 24, 2024. We harvested the plot on October 15, 2024, after a season that brought a wide range of conditions, most notably drought stress.
We split the test plot into two groups based on maturity:
- 100-107 Day Plot: This plot included early-maturing corn varieties versus mid-maturity corn.
- 108-112 Day Plot: This plot tested later-maturing hybrids to see how they compared to early-season varieties.
This side-by-side evaluation allowed us to gather comprehensive data on yield performance, moisture content, and overall resilience of each variety. Our goal with these tests is to use the data to refine our planting strategies and make informed decisions that maximize both yield and profitability for future growing seasons.
Key Findings from the 2024 Corn Test Plot
Top Yielding Varieties
100-107 Day Plot
The early-maturity varieties had a strong showing this year – and the last couple of years in the plot, despite the challenging growing conditions. Here are some of the top performers:
- Dekalb 103-07RIB led the early season plot with a check-adjusted yield of 163.2 bu/acre. This variety performed well despite the variability in soil conditions and external pressures. It was harvested with 16.8% moisture.
- Dekalb 101-35RIB, which was one of the only varieties in the middle of our plot field that suffered heavy raccoon damage, still managed a solid checker-adjusted yield of 159.0 bu/acre at 16.0% moisture, demonstrating its yield potential even in the face of significant wildlife pressure.
- FS Invision 5525VDG also performed impressively with a checker-adjusted yield of 150.6 bu/acre and a strong test weight of 58.6 lbs.
These results show that early-maturing varieties can still deliver strong yields even in less-than-ideal conditions. The consistency of Dekalb 103-07RIB and the resilience of Dekalb 101-35RIB make them standout varieties, particularly when dealing with environmental challenges like wildlife damage.
108-112 Day Plot
The later-season varieties in the 108-112 day plot performed exceptionally well. The field soil types get better as the varieties get later which makes the checker adjustment vital. Here are the top performers:
- FS Invision 6245RIB topped the late-maturity plot with a check-adjusted yield of 266.4 bu/acre and 19.1% moisture. This variety demonstrated excellent stay-green and the leaves from the combine cab looked cleaner than most when it comes to the presence of Tar Spot.
- Pioneer P1081AM followed closely behind with a check-adjusted yield of 263.6 bu/acre at 17.9% moisture, making it another standout variety for full-season performance.
- Dekalb 59-82RIB also performed well, with a check-adjusted yield of 232.5 bu/acre with a test weight of 55.9 lbs, showcasing its ability to hold strong even through the stress of the growing season.
The later-maturing varieties tend to have a greater benefit from a fungicide application to help reduce the impact of Tar Spot. The high yields seen in these varieties underscore the importance of proper disease management during the growing season as well as how soil types can differ in a field in Northwest Ohio.
Combined Plot Results
In the combined plot data, which merges the results of both the early and full-season varieties, we see a clear picture of which varieties excelled across the board. Each variety’s yield is refigured based on the average checker across the entire plot. These results give us a comprehensive view of variety performance and help guide decisions on future planting strategies:
- FS Invision 6245RIB led the combined plot with a check-adjusted yield of 266.4 bu/acre, making it the top performer overall. Its ability to thrive in dry conditions coupled with the impressive stay green of the plant, positions it as a strong contender for future planting.
- Dekalb 103-07RIB was a top performer in the early-season plot but also was a top performer in the combined plot with a check-adjusted yield of 208.4 bu/acre, demonstrating resilience and high yield potential across a variety of conditions.
- Pioneer P1081AM closely followed with a check-adjusted yield of 207.3 bu/acre, showcasing excellent resilience in drought conditions and showing great yield potential.
The combined plot results confirm the overall adaptability and strength of these top varieties, which maintained high yields across both early and full-season conditions.
Moisture Levels
Moisture content plays a crucial role in determining not only the timing of harvest but also the quality and test weight of the crop. Throughout the 100-107 day plot, moisture levels ranged from 16.0% to 18.7%, while the 108-112 day plot saw moisture levels between 16.4% and 19.1%.
These moisture levels were slightly higher than expected for the early-season varieties, given the dry conditions during the season. However, the full-season hybrids showed consistent moisture levels thanks to fungicide applications, which preserved the plant’s health and allowed for more robust grain fill.
Yield Accuracy
To ensure the accuracy of the data collected, we employed two separate weight wagons—one dedicated to the early-season plot and one for the full-season plot. This allowed us to minimize errors and ensure consistency in the measurements.
For each plot, we take an average of the checker in the plot to generate an average checker yield, which helps us adjust and compare the performance of each variety right next to the checker. There was a tremendous amount of variability in this plot – mainly attributed to soil type variation. The early season plot was planted in lighter sandy soils and as we moved into the full season varieties the soil type changed into more productive soil types. This makes the check adjustments vital. By normalizing the data through checker yields, we can provide a more competitive comparison, regardless of soil type or environmental factors.
Drought Challenges and Impact
This year’s growing season was marked by a D2 drought, which later escalated to D3. The drought posed significant challenges, particularly for early-season varieties, as limited water availability led to reduced grain fill and overall yield. According to our data from Climate Fieldview, as of October 12, this farm received 22.9 inches of moisture this year, which is 2 inches less than the five-year average. We were at or above the 5-year trendline until about tassel (VT growing stage). At that point, the rain seemed to just shut off. This water shortage significantly impacted yields during the vital time of pollination and grain fill, especially in varieties planted in the lighter soil types (the early season varieties).
While early-season varieties were able to take advantage of the limited moisture early on, full-season varieties had mixed results. Varieties like FS Invision 6245RIB and Pioneer P1081AM managed to perform well under these drought conditions. On the other hand, varieties such as Pioneer P0732Q struggled significantly, showing a clear reliance on water that wasn’t available.
Despite these challenges, the test plot provided valuable insights into which varieties can thrive under drought stress and which may need more favorable moisture conditions to reach their full potential.
Additional Observations
- Raccoon Damage: One notable challenge that Dekalb 101-35RIB faced was wildlife damage. Despite the significant raccoon damage across the field, this variety still managed to deliver strong yields, showcasing its resilience even under tough conditions. We had this variety planted across some additional acres in our operation and noticed this is a common occurrence in this variety. If you can find some acres where Raccoons would be less present, this variety has some great potential.
- Tar Spot: In the 108-112 day plot, we observed that fungicide applications significantly mitigated the effects of Tar Spot – though it was still present. Particularly FS Invision 6245RIB and Pioneer P1081AM, exhibited what we could see from the cab was cleaner leaves compared to other varieties and the stay-green was noticeably different compared to some of the others around them. This highlights the importance of disease management in maximizing yield potential for full-season hybrids.
- Stress Tolerance: Pioneer P05737PCE showed excellent drought tolerance, performing even under severe moisture limitations. Looking at the Raw yield in some of the lighter soil types of the plot, this variety performed well with a raw yield of 170.7 bu/acre. Adjusting the yield with the checker drops it to the middle of the pack but we wanted to highlight this variety as an option for those tougher acres.
- Water Sensitivity: On the other hand, Pioneer P0732Q struggled throughout the growing season, showing a reliance on consistent water availability. Its poor performance in this year’s plot reflects its sensitivity to dry conditions.
Looking Ahead: Using the Data to Inform Future Decisions
The insights gained from this year’s Corn Test Plot will play a crucial role in shaping our planting strategies for the next season. The performance of varieties like FS Invision 6245RIB, Pioneer P1081AM, and Dekalb 103-07RIB highlights their resilience, disease resistance, and high yield potential, making them strong candidates for next year’s planting.
For fields where stress tolerance is a priority, Pioneer P05737PCE stands out as an excellent choice due to its ability to handle drought conditions. However, varieties like Pioneer P0732Q may need to be reconsidered for drier fields, as they demonstrated a reliance on late-season moisture.
Conclusion
The 2024 Corn Test Plot at Maranatha Acres provided us with crucial data to inform our planting decisions. By understanding which varieties thrive under real field conditions—whether facing drought stress, wildlife damage, or disease pressures like Tar Spot—we can optimize our planting strategies to achieve higher yields and improve farm sustainability.
For a full breakdown of this year’s test plot results, including specific performance data for each variety, download the PDF below. We’re excited to apply these insights in next year’s growing season and continue refining our practices for even better outcomes.