C.O.R.N. Newsletter: 2016-1

There were 17 different sets of transgenic traits evaluated in 2015 Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) representing 22 technology products that are currently being marketed by seed companies. As the type and number of transgenic traits increases each year, the question arises as to whether these different traits affect hybrid performance. Using data from the 2015 OCPT, we’ve grouped hybrids based on the type and number of insect (Bt) and herbicide resistance they contain. Corn borer, corn rootworm, or lepidopteran insect injury were negligible in the 2015 OCPT trials. In Table 1, traits are listed by the insect they help control - corn borer, corn rootworm, or lepidopteran insects and whether they contain glyphosate or glufosinate herbicide tolerance. We’ve omitted trait sets that had two or less entries because so few entries mean that the data reflect individual hybrids more that traits (Nafziger, 2010). Even those groups that are shown can have their average performance skewed by one or more entries, so keep this in mind when interpreting the results. These results suggest that no set of traits performed consistently “much better” or “much worse” than other sets and the numbers of traits was not highly correlated with yield performance among these groups.

Table 1.  Grain yield of hybrids grouped by insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits, 2015 OCPT.

Reference

Nafziger, E. 2010. Traits and Hybrid Performance, 2010 - The Bulletin University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/print.php?id=1443

In 2015, 38 corn silage hybrids representing 13 commercial brands were evaluated in a joint trial with Michigan State University (MSU). One Ohio location is combined with Michigan's two southern (Zone 1) silage locations. The Ohio test site was located in our Northwest Region at Hoytville (Wood County). The two MSU sites were located in Branch and Lenawee counties, which are on the Ohio/Michigan state line.  The test results from the three 2015 locations are treated as one region. The plots were planted with 4-row air type planters and maintained by each respective state utilizing standard production practices. The center 2 rows were harvested with MSU’s self-propelled forage harvester. Silage tests were harvested uniformly as close to half milk line as possible. Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) Quality Analysis was performed by MSU using their current procedures. Silage results present the percent dry matter of each hybrid plus green weight and dry weight as tons per acre. Other data presented include percent stand, the percentage of in vitro digestible dry matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber digestibility, crude protein and starch. Milk production in pounds per ton and pounds per acre were estimated using MILK2006 (UW-Madison Dairy Science Department).

A complete summary of the Ohio results are available online at: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/silagetrials. More information on procedures and additional 2015 MSU silage test data can be viewed online at: http://www.varietytrials.msu.edu/corn. For more information on Ohio State crop variety testing, visit:  http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf.

Producers and agriculture professionals can get an update on the 2016 corn market and learn how to budget for a profitable corn crop at a workshop led by farm management experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.

The 2016 Corn College is a daylong workshop offered on Feb. 10 that will focus on what farmers need to know to develop a successful corn growing operation, said Sam Custer, an Ohio State University Extension educator who is organizing the program.

OSU Extension is CFAES’s outreach arm.

The goal of the workshop, Custer said, is to help farmers focus on critical topics that can help them not only get the most bang for their buck, but also raise the profit potential of their farms.

“We’ll offer producers a look at what the latest research shows as they work towards maximizing corn crop yields in an economical fashion,” he said. “Producers will be making some critical decisions this winter as they buy products to set up and plant their crops this spring.

“Offering this workshop now will give them time to digest some key production information before they start to get their corn planted in April.”

The workshop is taught by OSU Extension educators and specialists and will be held at The Andersons Marathon Ethanol, 5728 Sebring Warner Road in Greenville, Ohio.

Topics will include:

* 2016 market outlook.

* Budgeting a profitable corn crop.

* Agronomic practices that optimize profitability in corn production.

* Nitrogen timing and needs during corn development.

* Darke County on-farm research results, including nitrogen response and manure side dress.

* Insect pressure on today’s genetics and future control.

* Fungicide effects on disease, ear rot and yield in field corn.

* Decision-making with high resolution crop imagery.

Registration for the workshop is $50 and includes the program, handouts, breakfast and lunch. The registration flyer can be downloaded at http://go.osu.edu/corncollege. Contact Custer at 937-548-5215 for more information. The deadline to register is Feb. 3. Payment can be sent to OSU Extension, Darke County, 603 Wagner Ave., Greenville, Ohio 45331.