DAVISON, Mich. — Fielders Choice varieties took two of the top three yielding spots in a corn seed test in the Michigan Thumb last year.

The test was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) on the Genesee County farm of Bill Hunt. The top hybrid was Nu Tech 5N-001, with an average yield of 216 bushels per acre. The moisture content for this variety was 19 percent, and the estimated gross income per acre was $1,345.70.

The second and third finishers were both Fielders Choice varieties. No. 2 was variety NG6546, with an average yield of 208.6 bushels per acre, 18.8 percent moisture content and an estimated gross income of $1,300.20. The No. 3 variety was NG6550, with a yield of 194.4 bushels, 18.1 percent moisture and an estimated gross income of $1,216.40.

The test average for the plot was 169 bushels per acre, with 24 of the 45 varieties producing higher numbers. Average moisture content for the entire plot was 18 percent, and the average estimated income was $1,058.10 per acre.

The corn planted in this test plot followed soybeans, with glyphosate applied previously. F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Rich Schleuning planted at a rate of 33,000 seeds per acre on May 10, and harvested 31,400 plants per acre Oct. 31.

“We were fortunate to plant this site in early May, as most corn was planted in June. Over six inches of rain pounded the plot front, causing drown-out pockets,” Schleuning said.

He said the results shown are from two reps, as they lost one of the three. In July, extreme heat set in, causing short plant heights and ear tip back.

“The LSDs are higher than we like, but the norm for this year,” Schleuning said.