FLORA, Ill. — Corn farmers from Clay County in southern Illinois are facing the potential for lower yields as harvest winds down. The Kent Warren farm in Flora is no exception, as illustrated through early- and full-season tests of seed hybrids conducted by Farmers’ Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST) this summer.

During the early-season test, yields averaged just 126.1 bushels per acre; the late-season average improved to 132.8. "In general, 2015 was a tough growing season for most of central and southern Illinois. Excessive rains during May through June set the stage for delayed seedling plant and root growth," said Eric Beyers, field test supervisor for FIRST.

"At that point, any compromised field conditions and or hybrids with inadequate root foundations displayed reduced yields."

At the Warren farm, where the soil is Hoyleton-Cisne silty clay loam, the pace for this test was set by Pfister’s 67A1 variety, featuring Herculex Xtra and Roundup Ready 2 Corn technology, with a yield of 144.8 bushels per acre. The brand also led the trial in gross income per acre, with $565. Its kernels carried 14.7 percent moisture.

Second was Renk RK871VT2P with 143.8 bushels and $560 in gross income, followed by Stone 6288RIB with 142.5 bushels and $555 income. The Renk brand featured Genuity VT Double Pro corn technologies, while Stone’s held SmartStax and blended seed attributes.

The late-season test was led by FS InVISION 65S4V RIB, containing Genuity VT Triple PRO and blended seed, with 155.4 bushels an acre. At 15.7 percent moisture, the brand earned $603 in gross income.

Finishing second was Pfister 277ORA, featuring SmartStax and blended seed, with 149.8 bushels. Wyffels W7736RIB (Genuity VT Double PRO and blended seed) rounded out the top three with a 149.1 yield. Both varieties managed $581 in gross income.

"Like many of his fields this year, Kent found that they received too much water early and no water later. The excessive rain in May and June hampered growth," Beyers stated. "The drought in late July-September reduced ear development. Green snap, stalk rot and root lodging were slightly present in the tests."

Beyers said in general, southern and central Illinois farmers who planted fields with patterned tiles that helped manage early-season rains benefited in yield."Corn leaf disease pressure and stalk rots also played a role (in diminished harvest yields)," he said.

"There were a few isolated storms during mid- to late season at some farms. These thunderstorms and winds took their punch, lodging a few disease-infected hybrids."