Improving Farm
Income and Rural Communities Through Value-Added
Agriculture ACES
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Results of the 2002 On-farm Research Program
for Value-Enhanced Corn and Soybeans[1]
Compiled by Emerson D. Nafziger, Michael D. Roegge,
James A. Morrison, and Robert C. Bellm
Introduction
During the 2002 growing season, on-farm trials were carried out at 59 locations in 33 Illinois counties to compare yields and expected economic returns from different value-enhanced corn hybrids and soybean varieties. The objective was to compile yield data and related information on cultivars with different value-enhanced traits, and to compare these specialty crops with conventional elite hybrids and varieties under the same conditions. These trials were conducted under a range of locations and conditions, which should make the results useful to producers in different parts of the state. Producers can utilize these findings as a useful indicator to assess the performance and potential economic returns of these value-enhanced crops within their own farming operation. However, weather conditions and other factors may affect the predictability of future performance.
Methods
The locations of the 29 corn trials are shown on the enclosed map. Trial locations included 10 corn hybrids that were planted in 7 locations in Northern Illinois, 15 corn hybrids at 13 locations in Central Illinois and 14 corn hybrids at 9 locations in Southern Illinois. A comparable map is included for the 31 soybean trials, including 13 varieties planted at 10 locations in Northern Illinois, 9 varieties at 12 locations in Central Illinois, and 7 varieties at 9 locations in Southern Illinois. The specific hybrids and varieties evaluated in each region are listed below:
Northern Illinois
Corn Hybrids: Conventional – Golden Harvest GH 8906, Syngenta N45-T5, LG Seeds LG2533; Nutritionally Dense – Adler 2750NM; Hard Endosperm – QTI Ex 1802, LG Seeds LG2608; White – Zimmerman 1790W; High Extractable Starch – Golden Harvest H2552, Adler 2600, Syngenta N60-N2.
Soybean Varieties: Conventional – Syngenta S25-J5, Golden Harvest H2494, LG Seeds C9288; High Isoflavone –Public Dwight, Golden Harvest H2885, QTI 2700; Tofu – Syngenta S24-12, Adler 294FG, LG Seeds C2300; High Protein – Adler 285FG, QTI 2300, Public Savoy; High Oil – Quality Traders Laura.
Central Illinois
Corn Hybrids: Conventional – Golden Harvest H8906; Lewis 4830, Burrus 515; Nutritionally Dense – Lewis ND6002, Adler 2650NM; Hard Endosperm –Burrus 582, Quality Traders QC 4933, Wyffels W730; White – Monsanto RX776W; High Extractable Starch – Adler 2700, Wyffels W6570, Quality Traders QC 4935; Waxy – Lewis 5072WX.
Soybean Varieties: Conventional – Lewis 372, Golden Harvest 3327, FS HiSoy 3391; High Isoflavone – Golden Harvest 1383, Monsanto A3244, Quality Traders QTI 2950; Tofu – Adler 350FG; High Protein – Quality Traders 3950; High Oil – Quality Traders Julie.
Southern Illinois
Corn Hybrids: Conventional –AgriGold A6490, Trisler T-5298; Nutritionally Dense – Adler 4500, Lewis 4830; Hard Endosperm – Lewis 6442, QTI QC 4933, Trisler T-5299; White – Trisler T-4413W, Zimmerman 1851W; High Extractable Starch - Adler 4500, Lewis 4830, QTI QC 4935, Trisler T-5257; Waxy – Lewis 5072WX.
Soybean Varieties: Conventional – Bergman-Taylor BT 411C, Lewis 420; High Isoflavone-Quality Traders QTI-3400; Tofu – Adler 350FG; High Protein – QTI 4355, Trisler Trisoy 4380; High Oil – Quality Traders QTI-4705.
The hybrids and varieties chosen were selected to
represent specific output traits, but the number of individual entries was
limited due to plot size constraints on the number of strips at each site. Corn
hybrids and soybean varieties were planted and harvested using farmer’s
equipment, and strips ranged from about 100 to some 1000 feet in length, and
8 to 16 rows (20 to 40 ft.) wide. Where possible, strips were harvested
from the centers of
Figure 1: 2002 Value-Enhanced Corn On-Farm Trials
plots to allow for border rows between harvested strips. Corn hybrids
were planted at 28,000 to 30,000 seeds per acre. Soybean varieties were
planted at about 175,000 seeds per acre, but somewhat lower for the tofu
varieties. All other crop inputs followed each farmer’s specific management
practices.
Locations covered a range of different soil types and productivity ratings. The locations for the value-enhanced corn and soybean trials carried out in 2002 are displayed on the maps below (see Figures 1 and 2). In general, the growing conditions were good in Northern Illinois, but moisture (too much early and too little later) and heat stress were major factors in Central and Southern Illinois. Population counts taken at harvest showed fairly good stands, and few differences among entries in plant population. Grain samples were analyzed for a number of quality traits, including protein, oil, and (corn) starch content.
Results
The 2002 growing season was a stressful year from planting through grain fill due to extremes in both temperature and rainfall. Despite the environmental stress, crop yields were excellent in Northern Illinois and slightly below average in Central Illinois, however, Southern Illinois crop yields were very poor due to delayed planting and an extremely dry summer. The results from the value-enhanced corn and soybean trials are
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presented in Tables 1 and 2 below. These findings are based on the combined average for each type of value-enhanced crop over all locations within each region. The additional value (or loss) for each type of value-enhanced crop has been computed based on the average, statewide premiums for 2002 (Source: 2002 USDA-Illinois Department of Agriculture Market News Value Enhanced Grain Survey and value added grain handler contacts). It is important to note that premiums vary at different locations across the state and for some specific hybrids/varieties within a category (e.g. clear hilum or tofu-type soybeans). Also, premiums for some value-enhanced crops were lower in 2002 compared to previous years.
The LSD values given are for comparison between individual entries. Applying them to group averages should be conservative; differences that are greater than the LSD value were likely “real,” and not due to random variability. Such differences should occur under similar production conditions in the future. Results from the 2001 value-enhanced corn and soybean trials have been included in Appendix A for your convenience in comparing yearly on-farm research results. In reviewing these results, please note that different hybrids and varieties are used each year in this on-going on-farm research program. Also, as you use these results, keep in mind that the hybrids and varieties included in these trials were nominated by seed company representatives and then selected by the research team to represent different types of value-enhanced corn or soybeans. In so doing, it is impossible to have enough
Table 1: 2002 Value-Enhanced Corn Trial Results[2]
|
Characteristic |
Yield Bu/Acre |
Protein % |
Oil % |
Starch % |
2002 Premium Cents/Bu |
Adjusted Gross Income[3] |
Added Value$/Acre @$2.35/bu |
|
Northern Illinois (7 locations) |
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Conventional (3) [4] |
196.0 |
8.8 |
4.4 |
72.2 |
|
264.60 |
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Nutritionally Dense (1) |
186.7 |
8.9 |
5.6 |
72.5 |
.23 |
282.69 |
18.09 |
|
Hard Endosperm (2) |
190.5 |
10.1 |
4.8 |
70.4 |
.125 |
275.49 |
10.89 |
|
White (1) |
166.7 |
8.8 |
4.8 |
71.6 |
.35 |
259.09 |
(5.51) |
|
High Starch (3) |
200.5 |
8.5 |
4.3 |
72.4 |
.10 |
295.23 |
30.63 |
|
Average |
192.7 |
9.0 |
4.6 |
71.8 |
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LSD 0.10 |
8.7 |
0.4 |
0.2 |
0.6 |
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Central Illinois (13 locations) |
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Conventional (3) |
151.5 |
8.7 |
4.5 |
72.2 |
|
160.03 |
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Nutritionally Dense (2) |
131.1 |
9.7 |
5.0 |
71.2 |
.23 |
139.24 |
(20.79) |
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Hard Endosperm (4) |
153.8 |
9.1 |
4.7 |
71.8 |
.125 |
184.66 |
24.63 |
|
White (2) |
143.4 |
9.4 |
4.7 |
71.9 |
.35 |
196.18 |
36.15 |
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High Starch (3) |
147.9 |
8.3 |
4.4 |
72.7 |
.10 |
166.36 |
6.33 |
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Waxy (1) |
151.9 |
9.3 |
4.9 |
72.1 |
.15 |
183.75 |
23.72 |
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Average |
146.9 |
8.9 |
4.7 |
72.0 |
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LSD 0.10 |
9.4 |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
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Southern Illinois (9 locations) |
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Conventional (2) |
117.1 |
9.6 |
4.5 |
71.8 |
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79.19 |
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Nutritionally Dense (2) |
72.0 |
11.1 |
4.9 |
70.5 |
.23 |
(13.24) |
(92.43) |
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Hard Endosperm (3) |
110.6 |
9.8 |
4.8 |
71.0 |
.125 |
77.74 |
(1.45) |
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White (2) |
105.5 |
10.1 |
4.2 |
71.8 |
.35 |
93.85 |
14.66 |
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High Starch (4) |
113.2 |
8.9 |
4.2 |
72.6 |
.10 |
81.34 |
2.15 |
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Waxy (1) |
120.2 |
10.1 |
4.9 |
71.3 |
.15 |
104.50 |
25.31 |
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Average |
106.7 |
9.8 |
4.5 |
71.6 |
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LSD 0.10 |
13.9 |
0.4 |
0.2 |
0.4 |
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information to accurately choose “average” or “representative” entries for each category. Still, we believe these results reasonably represent the performance of the different types, at least relative to one another. We recommend that producers supplement these findings with data from other sources, since these comparisons cannot accurately predict how a particular hybrid or variety might perform on their farm.
Discussion
The results from these trials show negative income from producing nutritionally dense corn hybrids in the central and southern Illinois locations. These hybrids do not possess the agronomic characteristics to handle stress like the conventional hybrids, which is probably why yield for the nutritionally dense hybrids was competitive in the northern region where stress was less of a factor in 2002. White corn showed a decrease in income in Northern Illinois, but very positive returns in Central and Southern Illinois during 2002, reflecting the overall improvement of white corn hybrids that are suitable for the central and southern parts of the state. High starch, waxy and hard endosperm corn consistently produced added value in all regions, except for hard endosperm corn in southern Illinois. Corn yields in southern Illinois were significantly lower than 2001 and than other parts of the state in 2002 as a result of late planting and drought conditions during the summer. In general, protein and oil content for
Table 2: 2002 Value-enhanced Soybean Trial Results[5]
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Characteristic |
Yield Bu/Acre |
Protein % |
Oil % |
2002 Premium Cents/Bu |
Adjusted Gross Income6 |
Added Value$/Acre @$5.25/bu |
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Northern Illinois (10 locations) |
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Conventional (3) |
48.2 |
34.4 |
19.5 |
|
150.05 |
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High Isoflavone (3) |
45.9 |
34.5 |
18.7 |
.25 |
148.45 |
(1.60) |
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Tofu (3) |
42.0 |
35.2 |
19.2 |
1.00 |
158.50 |
8.45 |
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High Protein (3) |
44.0 |
36.5 |
18.4 |
.30 |
127.006 |
(23.05) |
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High Oil (1) |
48.7 |
35.2 |
19.4 |
.08 |
156.57 |
6.52 |
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Average |
45.3 |
35.2 |
19.0 |
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LSD 0.10 |
3.1 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
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Central Illinois (12 locations) |
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Conventional (3) |
55.8 |
37.0 |
18.5 |
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189.95 |
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High Isoflavone (3) |
55.3 |
35.8 |
18.8 |
.25 |
200.15 |
10.20 |
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Tofu (1) |
49.7 |
38.2 |
18.2 |
1.00 |
206.63 |
16.68 |
|
High Protein (1) |
57.3 |
35.6 |
18.9 |
.30 |
194.836 |
4.88 |
|
High Oil (1) |
54.3 |
35.8 |
18.8 |
.08 |
186.42 |
(3.53) |
|
Average |
55.2 |
36.4 |
18.7 |
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LSD 0.10 |
2.9 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
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Southern Illinois (9 locations) |
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Conventional (2) |
41.2 |
36.2 |
19.4 |
|
113.30 |
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High Isoflavone (1) |
41.4 |
36.7 |
19.6 |
.25 |
123.70 |
10.40 |
|
Tofu (1) |
37.0 |
37.7 |
19.4 |
1.00 |
127.25 |
13.95 |
|
High Protein (2) |
41.3 |
35.4 |
19.6 |
.30 |
110.836 |
(2.47) |
|
High Oil (1) |
43.9 |
34.6 |
20.1 |
.08 |
130.99 |
17.69 |
|
Average |
41.0 |
36.0 |
19.6 |
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LSD 0.10 |
NS |
2.1 |
0.3 |
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corn tended to change as expected for the different value added crops. While we measured corn starch using NIR and not with tests for “extractable” starch, starch levels tended to be higher in high-starch hybrids, reflecting lower protein and oil content. Also, it appears that high starch may in general be related to higher yields. The oil levels of nutritionally dense hybrids were consistently higher, with protein levels similar to higher compared to the other value types tested. This result is similar to that observed in 1999 and 2000, while different in 2001. Despite the similar to higher levels of oil and protein in nutritionally dense hybrids, agronomic characteristics and the lower yield potential of these hybrids continues to be a concern.
Conventional soybean varieties were used to compare to value enhanced soybean varieties and are in themselves a value added commodity. Premiums up to $0.40 are available for producing conventional (non-GMO) soybeans. This premium was not added in when making adjusted gross income calculations since the non-GMO soybean premium is greater than most of the other value added premiums. Since 80% of the soybean production is Roundup Ready soybeans, a producer could substitute the results from the conventional soybeans for Roundup Ready soybean production when making decisions on whether to produce value enhanced soybeans.
Producing value enhanced soybeans in Northern Illinois was not profitable for two of four value added traits, mainly due to significantly lower yields. Producing value added soybeans in Central and Southern Illinois increased returns/acre for all types grown except for high oil soybeans in Central Illinois, again due to lower yields; and for high protein soybeans in southern Illinois, due to higher production costs and low protein level. Protein content for the value added high protein soybeans did not meet the protein levels considered as high protein (37%). Therefore, no protein premium was added when making the calculations. Soybean oil content of the high oil soybeans was similar to or greater than the oil content of the other soybean types. Oil content was noticeably greater for the high oil soybeans in Southern Illinois which may have been related to stressful growing conditions. Typically protein and oil content in soybeans are inversely related, which held true in the majority of the soybean types in this trial.
Producers can use these results to evaluate if a specific value-enhanced crop has a fit in their operation and determine if value-enhanced crops will increase their profits.
Acknowledgements:
The Value Project acknowledges the contributions and support provided by the following growers who participated in these on-farm trials, including: Dean and David Dedert, Adams County; Wes Pourchot and Steve Zimmerman/Greenville High School, Bond County; Charlie Snyder, Brown County; Karl and Mark Schultz, John Bohm, Bill and Jeremy House and Ron Christensen, Bureau County; Glen Hartman/Bob Dunker/U of I Research Center, Champaign County; Dave and Mark Shupe/Shupe Ag Research, Cumberland County; Lyle Paul/U of I Agronomy Research Center, DeKalb County; Busey Bank, DeWitt County; Norbert Soltwedel and Emil Lagerhausen, Effingham County; Adam Anderson/U of I Brownstown Agronomy Research Center, Fayette County; Allen Berry/CPS, Hancock County; Mike Burrus/Rend Lake College, Jefferson County; Howard Sincox and Wayne Simmons, JoDaviess County; Barry Sutton, Lee County; John Fulton/U of I Extension, Logan County; Tom Connors and Art Leeffers, Macoupin County; Dan Duval, Mason County; Darrel Ellis/Lee Crop Care and Jerry Vigue/WIU, McDonough County; Dale Haudrick, Monroe County; Eric Lakin, Morgan County; Jeff Cappel, Russel Williams and Bill Horst, Ogle County; Glenn Raines/Orr Research Center, Pike County; Steve Ebelhar/U of I Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Pope County; Greg Guenther and Henry White Experimental Farm, St. Clair County; Bill Harmon/Lincoln Land Community College, Sangamon County; Dave Sager, Stark County; Tom Scheider, Stephenson County; Eric Adee/U of I Research Center, Warren County; Charles Nolan, White County; Keith Landis and Loren Tenboer, Whiteside County; Jim and John Wiegand, Woodford County.
Emerson Nafziger, Professor of Crop Science, supervised this on-farm trial program and analyzed the data. Michael Roegge, Cropping Systems Educator from the Adams/Brown County Unit Office; Jim Morrison, Cropping Systems Educator from the Rockford Extension Center; and Robert Bellm, Cropping Systems Educator from the Edwardsville Extension Center; coordinated this on-farm research program in cooperation with Extension colleagues from throughout Illinois. These colleagues included: Aaron Dufelmeier, Morgan County; Bill Brink, Springfield Extension Center; Pete Fandel, Woodford County; Pat Toohill, DeWitt County; Sean Evans, McDonough County; John Fulton, Logan County; Joy Gulotta, DeKalb County; Dale Baird, Rockford Extension Center; Stan Eden and Bill Lindenmier, Ogle County; Greg Clark, Whiteside County; Ellen Phillips, Countryside Extension Center; Don O. Frederick, Jasper/Cumberland Counties; Lynn Weis, Bond County; Charles (Ike) Leeper, Clinton County; Omar Koester, Monroe and Randolph Counties; Dennis Epplin, Mt. Vernon Extension Center; Tim Laatsch, Effingham County; Mark Maidak, JoDaviess County; Joe Schwamberger, Lee County; Russ Higgins, Matteson Extension Center.
For More Information
The Value Project has developed fact sheets for more than 20 different types of value-enhanced corn and soybeans in Illinois. These fact sheets and an up-to-date searchable database of specialty soybean and corn markets for 2003 can be found at the Value Project’s web site: http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/value/. In addition, the research team published a comprehensive research report in October 2002 on Value-Enhanced Corn and Soybean Production in Illinois. Producers who do not have Internet access can get these reports by contacting: Burton E. Swanson; Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 412 Munford Hall; 1301 West Gregory Drive; Urbana, IL 61801;Telephone: (217) 244-6978; Fax: (217) 333-5502; or by e-mail: swansonb@uiuc.edu