MACOMB, Ill. — Dyna-Gro CX52VP91 was the best out of a field of 79 varieties, in a full-season hybrid corn test plot on the farm of Jerry Lewis in McDonough County, Ill.

The Dyna-Gro hybrid yielded 225.8 bushels per acre, with an estimated gross income of $1,687 per acre. The second-highest yielder, Kruger K-7215, produced 225.6 bushels per acre but, also, a slightly higher estimated gross income of $1,690.

In third place was Steyer variety 11407VT3PRO, yielding 223.4 bushels per acre with a gross income of $1,671 per acre.

This test, along with an early-season corn seed test also on Lewis’ property, was conducted by Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies (F.I.R.S.T.).

Both tests were planted in Tama silty loam soil, moderately drained, conventionally-tilled with no fall till and no irrigation. Pest management included the application of Force, Harness Xtra, Roundup, Headline Amp and Respect.

Soybeans preceded the 2012 corn crop, which was planted May 17 at a rate of 36,600 seeds per acre. A stand of 33,000 plants per acre was harvested on Sept. 25.

According to F.I.R.S.T. Site Manager Eric Beyers’ notes from Joel Lewis, the surrounding field grown by the Lewises, planted on April 17, averaged 175 bushels per acre, lower than the May 17-planted seed tests.

“Ear development was great, filled to the tip with kernels up to half-inch deep,” Beyers said. “Plants were seven to 10 feet tall, with tremendous staygreen.”

In the early-season test, Great Lakes variety 6087VT3PRO was the top yielder with 209.9 bushels per acre and a gross income of $1,574 per acre. The early season test included 63 varieties.