NC STATE UNIVERSITY. Dr. Ron Heiniger Vernon G. James Research Center North Carolina State University

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1 Dr. Ron Heiniger Vernon G. James Research Center North Carolina State University

2 NC STATE UNIVERSITY State Average Yield 142 bu per acre Total mil bu Actual Yield bu/acre Corn Yield, bu acre Linear (Actual Yield bu/acre) 0

3 Rainfall (inch) Temperature (F) NC STATE UNIVERSITY Rainfall Low Temp High Temp

4 Current moisture is the result of very low southerly dip in the Jet Stream.. No sign of this shifting anytime soon expect continuation of current pattern Very Cold January through March if Jet Stream pattern persists then expect plenty of rain and possibility of snow Break expected in April and May with warm and dry conditions. Pattern will reemerge in early June with rain and cool weather to early July Final change in July to very hot and dry conditions into September

5 Corn Prices Jan 2012 to Today

6 Corn Price Required to Cover Input Costs Break Even Price ($ acre -1 ) Highest Yield (220 bu acre -1 ) Average Yield (134 bu acre -1 ) Lowest Yield (88 bu acre -1 ) $2.30 $3.78 $5.76

7 The Effects of Lower Corn Prices Remember that yield is a MULTIPLIER. High yield should still be the goal. To offset reductions in price yield must increase. Select inputs that have a HIGH likelyhood of increasing yield. Inputs must be able to increase yield enough to return revenue over cost. Select inputs that reduce environmental stresses and help maintain yield. An input that helps guarantee profitable yield levels reduces the risk of economic loss.

8 What Management Practices Contribute the Most to Yield and PROFIT? Technologies in Corn Production Advances in Hybrids Drought Hybrids Higher Plant Populations 43,000 vs 33,000 plants/acre Advanced Starter Fertilizers (in furrow) + (2x2) vs 2x2 only Seed Treatments enhancing emergence Fungicides improving kernel weight

9 Management Overall Summary Hybrid DKC DKC Syng. N68B Location Beaufort Pamlico Davidson Sampson Standard Standard Standard Standard Practice Practice Practice Practice * to 46 bu per acre Advantage! Risk = -$83.55 per acre Maximum Return over Cost= $ per acre Breakeven = 18.6 bu/acre

10 Corn Yield, bu per acre NC STATE UNIVERSITY bu Difference In drought tolerant vs conventional 0

11 Corn Yield, bu per acre NC STATE UNIVERSITY bu Difference In drought tolerant vs conventional

12 Increasing Seeding Rates (33,000 vs 43,000) Hybrid DKC DKC Syng. N68B Location Beaufort Pamlico Davidson Sampson * * -4 to 48 bu per acre Advantage! Risk = -$33.80 per acre Maximum Return over Cost= $ per acre Breakeven = 7.5 bu/acre

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14 No starter 20 gal/acre

15 Added Starter Fertilizer ( in furrow) Hybrid DKC DKC Syng. N68B Location Beaufort Pamlico Davidson Sampson No No No No * to 47 bu per acre Advantage! Risk = -$22.50 to $25 per acre Maximum Return over Cost = $ per acre Breakeven = 5.5 bu per acre *

16 Seed Treatment (Pentilex) Hybrid DKC DKC Syng. N68B Location Beaufort Pamlico Davidson Sampson Pentilex No Pentil Pentilex No Pentil Pentilex No Pentil Pentilex No Pentil * to 35 bu per acre Advantage! Risk = -$10.75 per acre Maximum Return over Cost= $147 per acre Breakeven = 2.3 bu per acre *

17 Corn Yield, bu per acre NC STATE UNIVERSITY

18 Hybrid DKC DKC Syng. N68B NC STATE UNIVERSITY Fungicide (Quilt V5) Location Beaufort Pamlico Davidson Sampson Quilt No Quilt Quilt No Quilt Quilt No Quilt Quilt No Quilt to 43 bu per acre Advantage! Risk = -$14 per acre Maximum Return over Cost= $ per acre Breakeven = 3.1 bu per acre *

19 Kernel Weight, g per 200 kernels NC STATE UNIVERSITY Increasing Yield through Kernel Weight Beaufort

20 Conclusions GET VALUE FROM EVERY INPUT YOU APPLY!! Hybrid is the most important decision you make. Plant Population is the second most critical factor. Match plant population to hybrid capability, water availability, fertility, and risk. Change population from field to field based on yield history.

21 Conclusions With the best hybrid at optimum plant population starter is important but costly - USE STARTER TO AVOID RISK. Alternative (or addition) to starter fertilizer is the use of a nutrient seed treatment. Cost effective way to achieve the starter effect. Quilt at V5 increased kernel weight - Fungicides are most effective when the crop is under stress.