MCCOMB, Ohio — The average corn yield was surprisingly high, with 176.8 bushels per acre, in the early-season test performed on Mark Bryan’s farm in Hancock County by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.).

In the 2011 Better Hybrids comparison at the northwestern Ohio farm, Dairyland ST-9308SSX polled the top yield with 201.4 bushels. This same hybrid was ranked first in terms of gross income: $1,224.70 per acre (report at left).

LG Seeds LG2529VT3Pro was second in the test, with 194.1 bushels per acre and an income of $1,190.80. Stewart 6V336 was third, with 189.6 bushels and an income of $1,162.10.

Fourth in the field of 42 hybrids tested was Rupp XR8034 at 187 bushels per acre, with a gross income of $1,143.90 per acre. Fifth was Steyer 10401 with 186.4 bushels and an income of $1,143. 

“Receiving seven inches of rain in May caused some stand loss,” said Rich Schleuning, F.I.R.S.T. site manager. “June was dry up until the 25th of that month when it got a nice shower. The corn did pollinate in the heat, but this area still received some nice rain in July and August.

“But overall, it was about what we expected based on the weather patterns we had, and the hybrids did perform well.”

Rounding out the top 10 was Fielders Choice NG6710 (186.1 bushels per acre), Great Lakes 5643VT3PRO (182.6), Ebberts 7358VT3P (182.1), Fielders Choice NG6681 (180.7) and FS Seeds FS54VX1 (180.6).

Schleuning planted the plot on May 30 at 33,000 seeds per acre and harvested the corn at 29,700 plants per acre Oct. 18. He used 30-inch spacing when planting.

“The crop was standing nicely at harvest with good stalk quality,” Schleuning said. “Despite the erratic weather pattern, the stalks looked good in the end.”

Overall, the average moisture content was 22.7 percent and lodging was 1.1 percent. The plot was no-till in well-drained, non-irrigated sandy clay loam, with high phosphorous and moderately high potassium. The previous crop was hay.

In the full-season test on the same plot, corn yields remained nearly the same as those of early season testing, averaging 176.9 bushels per acre. Average moisture content was 24.8 percent and lodging was at 1 percent.

Stewart 7A638 performed the best, with 197.6 bushels per acre. This same hybrid garnered the top per-acre gross income, at $1,185.60 (see below).

Steyer 11204 was second with 191.1 bushels, but third in income, at $1,146 per acre. Rupp XR8500 was third at 190.6 bushels per acre but finished second elsewhere, with a per-acre income of $1,152.20.

Rounding out the top five in the full-season test were Specialty 8610GENSS (189.7 bushels per acre) and Ebberts 7861VT3P (185.1). “Overall, the seeds did very well considering the weather patterns we had,” Schleuning said.

The top two performers in both tests used SmartStax in their varieties. Farmers can visit www.firstseetests.com for a complete list of brands tested and the database.