New products/practices beat old.

Hertz Farm Management, Nevada, IA, sponsored a "Hybrids of the Decades" historical corn plot this past summer as part of its 60th Anniversary celebration. Shown is Loyd Brown, AFM/ARA, Hertz Pres with the hybrid representing the 1946 to 1955 decade--Pioneer 347.

In one section of the plot, hybrids from each decade were planted according to the agronomic practices of their times. In the other sections, the older hybrids were planted according to today's practices.

Harvest results showed there was a significant yield gain with each new decade with the biggest increase, 47 bushels per acre, in the current decade. Plot yields ranged from 127.8 bushels per acre in the 1946 to 1955 decade, to 245.1 bushels per acre for today's modern hybrids. Stalk quality was also much better in today's hybrids.

Brown reports the majority of the increase in yield proved to be from improved plant genetics, but there was a 10% average increase in yield when the varieties were planted using today's management practices (narrower row width, higher plant population and additional nitrogen).