from CropWatch News Service
University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension

Recent research indicates that changing corn hybrids after reviewing just two years of yield data may be a viable option, given the rapid advancements and increased yields in corn hybrids. A new UNL Cooperative Extension publication providies the tools for using the latest data from the UNL Hybrid Testing program to evaluate and select hybrids best suited for planting next year.

“Corn hybrids are now improving at the rate of about one bushel per acre per year,” according to the NebGuide, Using Corn Hybrid Yield Data to Improve Selection of Rapidly Changing Hybrids (G03-1521). It guides producers through how to evaluate trial data, adjust on-farm results so they can be compared to the trial results (ensuring that “apples to apples” are being compared) and select hybrids that could be expected to provide diversity and balance, as well as good yields. The NebGuide was written by three UNL agronomists: Bob Klein, Extension cropping systems specialist at the West Central REC; Lenis Nelson, Extension crop variety and seed production specialist; and Roger Elmore, Extension crops specialist.

“Research indicates that [hybrid] data become more reliable as we add locations and years,” write the authors. “Unfortunately, each year of data we add makes the hybrid that much further behind. Recently, there is more interest in using only one or two years of data from two or more locations each year when selecting hybrids. Using different locations provides information on how hybrids will perform in different environments. Corn germplasm is changing so rapidly that waiting for a second or third year of data can be costly.”

When selecting a new hybrid, producers usually look first to yield data and maturity. They also consider disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide resistance, quality, seed price, and the genetic diversity it will bring to their crop mix. The diversity provided by growing several hybrids with varying degrees of pest resistance will help spread the maturity dates, workload, and risk.

The NebGuide helps a producer identify the statistical range of top performers in the UNL trials conducted near his or her farm and then adjust and compare the yield data from an individual farm to the UNL results to estimate how various hybrids might do under local conditions. It also includes yield data and sample comparisons to follow as well as an empty data record for individual farm records.

Through its annual variety trials, UNL provides producers with objective, research-based crop and yield information, which can be compared with hybrid data from other sources, and used to make an informed hybrid selection. The results of the corn hybrid trials are published annually in the Nebraska Corn Hybrid Test (EC105) which is also available from local Cooperative Extension offices. The variety test publication provides average performance at each plot location, cooperators, soil types, planting and harvest dates; problems, farmer entries; maps of test sites and brands, seed company and addresses.