TUSCOLA, Ill. — AgriGold seeds placed second and third in yields, respectively, in a couple of corn seed tests in Illinois last season.

The early- and full-season tests were conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.) on the Douglas County farm of John Carmack. The early test shows results of the top 30 varieties of 72 for gross income, sorted by yield. The full-season test shows results for the top 30 of 90.

First place in the early test was taken by LG Seeds LG2555VT3, with an average yield of 161.9 bushels per acre. The moisture content for the variety was 14.4 percent, and the estimated gross income per acre was $971.40.

AgriGold A6476VT3Pro came in second place with yield, with 160.1 bushels per acre, moisture content of 14.9, and the estimated gross income per acre was $960.60. Heritage 4602VT3 was third, at 158.2 bushels per acre, a 14.3 moisture content and the estimated gross income was $949.20.

In the full-season test, first place went to Great Lakes variety 6354G3VT3, with 146.8 9 bushels per acre, 15.4 moisture content and an estimated gross income of $879.30. Merschman M-1213G-18 took second in yield with 146.4 bushels per acre, 15.7 moisture content and an estimated gross income of $875.80.

AgriGold A6573VT3 took third place with 143.8 bushels per acre, 15.1 moisture content and $862.40 in estimated gross income per acre.

Carmack’s farm has silty clay loam soil. The field was moderately drained, no-till and non-irrigated. For the early test, F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Eric Beyers planted the field at a rate of 34,000 seeds per acre May 19, and he harvested 32,200 plants per acre Oct. 28.

For the full-season test, 34,000 seeds per acre were planted May 19, and he harvested 32,100 plants per acre on Oct. 28.

The average yield for all varieties in the full-season test was 127.9 bushels per acre; the moisture content was at 15.0 percent and $766.90 in estimated gross income per acre.

High temperatures and a lack of rain had an effect on the crop, according to Carmack. “John commented how his fields missed the July and August rains and how the high heat played a role in the poorer ear development of this plot,” Beyers reported.

“During the heat, nighttime temperatures did not drop enough to allow relief for the corn. Both stalk and root diseases reflect the lodging scores.”

Beyers also reported harvested ear sizes ranged from 3-5 inches long and the plants were 8-9 feet tall. The previous crop on this field were soybeans treated with Buccaneer, Prowl, Raptor and Flexstar.

For a complete list of brands tested and a searchable database of information, go online to www.firstseedtests.com