R&D

Hybrid Selection Tips

Choose Hybrids That Deliver High Value Consistently
Seed corn typically amounts to less than 15% of the total corn production input costs.  However, choice of the correct hybrid for your field conditions can make the biggest single impact on yields and profitability.  Take a look at recent Illinois and Purdue Commercial Trials where the average yield of the highest yielding 10 hybrids in a given multiple-location trial can be 30 bushels per acre or more than the average of the lowest yielding 10 hybrids.  Choosing the best package of hybrids for your 2009 corn production will give far better returns than any other crop production decision you make.

Multiple maturities:  Full-season hybrids generally have the greatest yield potential due to their ability to take advantage of the complete growing season.  However, no two growing seasons offer the same weather and you need to hedge with a certain percentage of earlier, medium, and fuller season hybrids in your arsenal.  Be sure to check the GDUs to Silk and choose hybrids that will be pollinating at different times to spread the risk that can occur with extremes of temperature and moisture availability.

Yield Potential & Stability:  Choose hybrids that consistently deliver high yields of quality grain.  Look for hybrids that have consistently performed above the average yield of many other hybrids over a range of yield environments.  Ask to see the data!  Yield is the sum total of many characteristics of the corn plant and the growing environment.  Early vigor, adaptation to specific growing environments, drought tolerance, root and stalk quality, resistance or tolerance to disease/insects, plant health, staygreen, and ear retention can be key to high yields.  Different fields and different years can require different plant characteristic needs.  Show and tell us about your fields and we can help.

Plant a Diverse Package of Hybrids:  The exact set of growing conditions that you experienced this past year will not be repeated.  As a result the relative performance of a set of hybrids will change from year to year, and no one can predict it.  The best route to consistent overall results on your farm is to plant products from at least three Genetic Groups.  We group our products according to genetic background so that you can confidently diversify your crop acres.

Value Added Traits: Corn technology that delivers value added traits such as herbicide resistance and in-plant protection against both above-ground and below-ground insect pests complements your management and helps you maximize the yield potential of the corn genetic package you choose. We offer the latest developments in these traits, as you will see in the section Technology & Value-Added Traits.

Products that Perform Add Value
The best inbreds, the latest genetic technology, and precise testing close to where you grow corn all lead to superior products tailor-made for your profitable corn production.  See 2009 Seed Corn Products for PRIME Farm Seeds brand products that will deliver more value to your operation.