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November 12, 2008
 Brian
McCloskey, a local farmer in LaSalle County Illinois near
Marseilles, Illinois, recently broke the 300 bushel per acre
mark with Beck’s 6733HXR™ for the first time in a plot he refers
to as his “super plot.” McCloskey explains that “the theory
behind the super plot is to test the genetic potential of
today’s leading corn hybrids.”
Brian pushes populations and fertility levels in his plot to
develop a plan for changes he may need to make on the rest of
his corn acres for the coming years. “I want to be on the
cutting edge when it comes to achieving top end yields. I design
my plots to be the concept proving ground for my farming
operation. The top yield in my test plots tell me where I expect
my full field yields to be in three to five years,” said
McCloskey.
This year the “super plot” tested 34 hybrids with an average
yield of 262.1 bushels per acre and Beck’s 6733HXR™ topped the
plot at 312.3 bushels per acre. Several factors contributed to
achieving the 300 bushel mark. The early growing season allowed
for great stand establishment. Fortunately, the lack of extreme
midseason heat during most of the pollination period allowed for
an excellent ear set. Brian also applied a fungicide to control
late season diseases. Good late season rains and sunshine
resulted in terrific kernel depth.
All of these weather related factors helped, but as Brian
explains, the key is genetics. “Genetics are improving
incredibly fast. There are more new products in this plot every
year. Products like Beck 6733HXR™ have raised the genetic yield
potential of corn. I believe in keeping it simple by controlling
residue, feeding plants plenty of nutrients, and intensively
scouting my fields. I have to rely on the seed industry to
continue to bring more top end yield potential.”
The 300 bushel mark is an incredible accomplishment in any field
situation right now. It was just two years ago in this same
“super plot” that the top yield was a record 256 bushels per
acre and now we have field averages in that same area. Can we
expect to have 300 bushel field averages in the next two to
three years?
Brian McCloskey and his wife Brenda are raising two children
near Marseilles, IL. They operate a row crop farm raising
approximately 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans. Brian is going
into his 4th year as a Beck’s Hybrids seed dealer.
Beck's Hybrids is a
family-owned and operated seed company that serves farmers
throughout Indiana, Illinois, and select counties in Ohio,
Michigan, and Kentucky. According to a recent media survey,
Beck's ranks as the sixth largest seed company in the United
States and the only one in the top six that is family-owned,
making Beck's the largest retail family-owned seed company in
the U.S. |
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