Consistent performance is corn hybrid measurement tool BLOOMINGTON, 11.- After literally weathering the last four years, corn growers must search their memories to recall a “nor mal” growing season. Heat and drouth characterized 1980 and 1983. And “wet and late” describe 1981 in the eastern Corn Belt and 1982 in the West. With such disparate growing conditions, how can growers tell if they are receiving good, consistent performance from corn hybrids they select’ And just what is consistent hybrid performance? “In the simplest terms, con sistent performance is the ability to produce reasonably good yield under bad conditions,” says Charles Brim, vice president of research for Funk Seeds In ternational. “Consistency is a tough characteristic to accurately define,” Brim ■ adds, “because there are weather conditions under which no hybrid can perform well. Unfortunately, a lot of areas ex perienced those kinds of growing conditions last year,” When weather permits, however, several traits work together to make corn hybrids consistent performers, Brim continues “Yieldability, stan dability, disease and insect resistance and stress tolerance are the major contributors to dependable production. "Most growers measure yield by gut feeling,” Brim admits, “Everyone who farms knows that there are certain pieces of land which simply produce better yields from year to year.” Part of Brim’s responsibilities as Siq Dutchman. CONTROLLED CAGE FEEDING SYSTEMS . Contact us lor additional personalized information on these Big Dutchman feeder benefits. • REDUCED OPERATION COST • HIGHER PRODUCTION • LESS WASTE SPILLAGE • LIMIT FEEDING authorized Siq Putchman. DISTRIBUTOR vice president of research for Funk include traveling across the country to evaluate test plots grown by farmers cooperating with the company. “Farmers are into risk analysis now, just like other businessmen. Many of them have told me they’ve given up going for high yield only. They say they want hybrids that perform relatively well from year to year over a variety of con ditions. “Farmers generally put yield and standability at the top of their hybrid selection lists,” Brim says. “These two traits probably should be' combined into one charac teristic called harvestable yield. A hybrid’s biological yield potential can be very high, but without standability, the high potential is lost. So the stalk needs to be strong enough to hold the plant up until harvest, yet combine relatively easily. “That kind of stalk results from overall good plant health, which is a function of tolerance or resistance to prevalent diseases and insects and stress tolerance. These defense mechanisms allow a hybrid to express its yieldability from year to year, over a wide range of growing conditions," the researcher says. A hybrid’s ear type may affect consistency. “Hybrids with determinant ears almost always produced one while indeterminant types may be barren under very harsh conditions," Brim explains. With the large number of hybrids available, what’s the best way to select a hybrid for consistent ("y <j~j> HERSHEY EQUIPMENT pi [COMPANY, INC. Route 30 West at the Centerville Exit performance 9 3 f e u row f or / lve formance requires data for the “Strip tests are the best hybrids side-by-suie and tracking hybrid’s performance over a technique to evaluate consistent yield, standability and othei traits number of years.” performance on the farm,” says “ on f year’s data will give an The following chart shows three- Paul Christensen, Funk advanced indication of relative performance, year evaluations for five hybrids • toting “This involves n f consistent per- Tabulations such as these can be done manually or with help from a personal computer. “VisiCalc, which is one of the most common microcomputer software programs, would work very well for a hybrid evaluation program,” Christensen says. "At least three years of data are needed for results to be meaningful,” he adds. “But tests need not be run on the same land every year. The soil should be well drained and representative of the entire farm.” Hybrids should not be planted in the same order every year. To interpret data, look at in dividual yields in relation to the mean or average of each hybrid in the trial. For example, if the mean for the trial is 107 bushes, and hybrid A yields 122 bushels, its score would be a +l5 If hybrid B yields 103 bushes, its score would equal -4. The mean for the whole trial will serve as an indicator of the en vironment that year. Lower means \ • LOWER MORTALITY • LESS EQUIPMENT WEAR Hybrid 1981 Yield 1982 Yield 138 110 134 108 139 112 120 104 126 120 131 4 110.8 Plot Mean Big Dutchman chain and trough feeding systems give you the “best" controlled feeding for high density egg production operations. With feed costs continually rising control is essential for feed economy so don’t settle for anything less than Big Dutchman. SYCAMORE IND. PARK 255 PLANE TREE DRIVE LANCASTER, PA. 17603 (717) 393-5807 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 3,1984-Dl7 indicate more stressful growing conditions As individual hybrid data is evaluated, Christensen recom mends looking for yields that are significantly lower than the mean, a signal of weakness under stress. He cautions, however, than means alone may not give a true picture of a hybrid’s performance. “Closely scrutinize the figures that make up the mean to see if there are any low values in the line. A consistent hybrid will not bounce around a lot in its values, but will achieve a steady average. A low yield in the line should stir suspicion. Look for additional information if a hybrid appears to perform erratically.” In fact, Christensen recom mends building in yield results from sources other than just the on-farm strip tests. “Try to obtain individual location data from state universities,” he says. "And neighboring farmers may want to consider cooperating on several trials and trade the results. The 1983 Yleld Hybrid Mean 122 123.3 115 119.0 136 129.0 105 109.6 99 115.0 115.4 more that can be built into the hybrid ratings, the more reliable the final evaluations will be.” The rating system can be ex panded to include evaluations for standability, test weight, and synchrony of flowering. “There are several methods to measure standabihty,” says Christensen, "including making three random counts of 100 plants each in the field and then figuring a percent standing rating on the count. Another, less scientific method, would be to eyeball the field and estimate the percent of plants still standing. The results of these counts can be set up on a spread sheet similar to yield ratings,” he concludes. Hydro heater, Conestoga & Jpjpßl|||| Baker Stoves I Or Fireplace "Before You Buy Give Us A Try” J&A STOVE SALES 3753 East Newport Road. 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