Results of the 1999 On-farm Corn and Soybean Research Program

Compiled by Emerson D. Nafziger and Michael D. Roegge

Introduction

During the 1999 growing season, on farm trials were carried out at 19 locations across 11 Western and Central Illinois counties to compare yields and expected economic returns from different specialty corn hybrids and soybean varieties. The objective was to compile yield data and related information on cultivars with different specialty traits, and to compare these specialty crops with conventional elite hybrids and varieties under the same conditions. Producers can utilize these data as a way to predict performance and potential economic returns of these specialty grains within their own farming operation. While the fact that these tests were run under a range of locations and conditions should make the averages more useful in predicting future performance, results in these and other locations in following years will likely cause changes in performance. Still, these results should be useful for comparison purposes under conditions reasonably similar to the rather average conditions in which these trails were grown in 1999.

Methods

The locations of the 9 corn plots are shown on the enclosed map. Each location included 17 corn hybrids. A comparable map is included for the soybean trials, in which 9 varieties were planted at 11 different locations. 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. The high oil corn (HOC) and nutritionally dense hybrids were planted 48 rows wide, with the middle 6 or 8 rows being harvested to reduce any cross-pollination that might affect yield performance and/or quality attributes. All other corn hybrids and soybean varieties were planted and harvested based on the relative size of each farmer’s equipment, and to allow for border rows between harvested strips. Corn hybrids were planted at 28,000 to 30,000 seeds per acre, with the HOC increased by 2,000 to 3,000 per acre. Soybean varieties were planted at 175,000 seeds per acre, with the tofu variety planted at 125,000 per acre. All other crop inputs followed each farmer's specific management style.

Locations covered a range of different soil types and productivity ratings. The locations for the specialty corn and soybean trials carried out in 1999 are displkayed on the maps below. All the trials were planted in a very timely manner due to favorable planting conditions. However, lack of favorable moisture conditions across most of the growing areas during the summer months resulted in lower than expected yields for some of the hybrids and varieties. Population counts taken at harvest showed fairly good stands. Grain samples were analyzed for a number of quality traits, including protein, oil, and (corn) starch content.

Results

The results from the specialty corn and soybean trials are found in Tables 1 and 2 below. These data are the averages for 17 corn hybrids tested at 9 locations and for 9 soybean varieties tested at 11 locations. The added value for different specialty crops has been computed based on average, statewide premiums for 1999 (Source: 1999 Illinois Specialty Grain Handlers Survey). It is important to note that premiums vary at different locations across the state and premiums for some specialty crops are lower in 2000 as shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1: 1999 Specialty Corn Trial Results

Table2: 1999 Specialty Soybean Trial Results

Acknowledgements:

The Value Project acknowledges the contributions and support provided by the following organizations and individuals in carrying out the 1999 on-farm trial program. First, the Value Project Team extends its thanks and appreciation to Consolidated Grain and Barge Co., New Berlin, IL for testing the different corn and soybean samples to evaluate specific quality traits.

Second, the Value Team extends its thanks to the cooperating growers who participated in these on-farm trials, including: Randy Dickhut and Paul Musik, Adams County; Charlie Snyder, Brown County; Tom Meyer and the Orr Research Center, Pike County; Mick and Mike Johnson, and Roger Houston, Morgan County; Richard Breckenridge, Christian County; Terry Pope and Allen Berry, Hancock County; Curtis Brothers and Russell Grain, McDonough County; L.H. Farms, Moultrie/Douglas Counties; the Extension Council of Logan County; Paul and John Uphoff, Livingston County; Lincoln Land Community College, Sangamon County; and Bell Enterprises and Illinois Central College, Tazewell County.

For More Information

The Value Project has developed fact sheets for more than 20 different types of specialty corn and soybeans and it has current information on the location of different specialty corn and soybean markets in Illinois. These fact sheets, an up-to-date searchable database of specialty crop markets, plus other information, such as a narrated slide presentation on contract evaluation, plus a contract evaluation check sheet can be found at the Value Project’s web site: http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/value/. Producers who do not have Internet access can get this same information by contacting:

            Burton E. Swanson

            Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics

            University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

            412 Mumford Hall, 1301 West Gregory Drive

            Urbana, IL 61801

            Telephone: (217) 244-6978; Fax: (217) 333-5835

            E-mail: swansonb@uiuc.edu