HOWE, Ind. — Two varieties from Ebberts and one from Partners Brand led an early-season corn seed test in LaGrange County, in northern Indiana.

The test, conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.), was on the farm of John Larimer, of Howe. Ebberts 2909VT3P ranked first, with an average yield of 249.9 bushels an acre and an estimated gross income of $1,555.60 an acre. The variety had a moisture content of 17.5 percent.

Ebberts 7501VT3P ranked second, with an average yield of 230.5 bushels, a moisture content of 17.3 percent and an estimated gross income of $1,436.20.  Third was Partners Brand PB 7841, which had an average yield of 229.8 bushels. It had an estimated gross income of $1,430.50 and a moisture content of 17.5 percent.

Overall, the test of 42 varieties had an average of 195.7 bushels an acre. The average estimated gross income per acre was $1,222.10 and the average moisture content was 16.8 percent.

Larimer applied 1.5 inches of water weekly during July, according to Rich Schleuning, F.I.R.S.T. site manager

“Between the heat, evaporation and coarse soil, no soil surface moisture was observed after the irrigator passed,” Schleuning reported.

“Green snap was observed, but damage was low. Insect and deer feeding (were) seen on ear tips.” Because of rain in the two weeks prior to harvest, some ears that were upright had kernels that had started to sprout, he noted.

The seeds were planted May 5 at a rate of 33,500 an acre, and harvested Oct. 29 at 32,100 plants an acre. Conventional tillage in the fall was used. The farm has sandy, well-drained soil, and was irrigated.

The previous crop had been soybeans treated with Roundup. The corn was treated with Volley ATZ, Balance Flexx, Force and Stratego YLD.

In a full-season test on the same plot, LG Seeds LG2602VT3 ranked first, with an average yield of 265.8 bushels an acre and an estimated gross income of $1,650.60 an acre. The moisture content with this variety was 18 percent.

NK Brand N68A-3000GT was second, with an average of 256.3 bushels. The moisture content was 17.3 percent, and the estimated gross income was $1,597. Third was Golden Harvest H-8969 3111, which had an average of 254.6 bushels, an estimated gross income of $1,572.70 and a moisture content of 19.1 percent.

The full-season seeds were planted May 5 at 33,500 an acre, and harvested Oct. 29 at a rate of 33,400 plants an acre. The full-season test of all 45 varieties had an average of 225.2 bushels, an average estimated gross income of $1,399.20 and an average moisture content of 17.9 percent.

For a complete list of brands and test details, go online to www.first seedtests.com