Corn Hybrid Trials Online

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky corn for grain hybrid trials and corn for silage hybrid trials are online.

The corn for grain trials were planted at seven locations around the state, two of which are irrigated. Hybrids were divided into early, medium, late and white corn tests. The early hybrids were rated to mature by 111 days or earlier. The medium hybrids were rated to mature in 112 to 115 days and the late hybrids were rated to mature at 116 days or later. The report includes yields, test weight, moisture, final stand and lodging. All of these parameters help assess hybrid quality. When possible, yields are averaged across two and three years. The three-year averages across all locations provide the best predictor for hybrid performance next season.

2015 Corn Hybrid Performance Test Online

Cam Kenimer, Corn Hybrid Trial Coordinator, University of Kentucky
Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

The 2015 University of Kentucky Corn Hybrid Performance Trials are now online. Seed companies submitted 151 hybrids to be tested. The hybrids were divided into Early, Medium, Late, and White groupings.

The range from best to worst hybrid was 35.6 bushels per acre for the Early hybrids. The range for the Medium hybrids was even greater at 45.4 bushels per acre. The range in yields was 33.3 bushels per acre for the Late hybrids. Based solely on yield performance and the current market price for corn, those ranges equate to about $125 to $175 per acre difference between the highest and lowest yielding hybrid.

Corn Hybrid Trials Online

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

The 2014 University of Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test is available online. Hybrids are submitted by seed companies and grouped into one of four classes: Early (less than 112 days); Medium (112 to 115 days); Late (greater than 115 days); or White Corn tests. Tests were established at six locations and the summary of hybrid performance across all locations is still the best indicator of hybrid performance for next year. Until we can accurately predict weather for 12 months (including how much it will rain each day and maximum daily temperature) grouping hybrid performance across several environments is our best method to predict future performance.We know everyone enjoys looking at data from each site, so tables are included for that as well.

Visit the Corn Hybrid Testing Website for more information about the tests. Printed copies should be in your county extension offices.

2013 Hybrid Corn Performance Test

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

The 2013 Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Test is available online as a pdf file. A website with links to individual tests is here: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/cornvarietytest/2013/Results.html

The test includes hybrids in the early, medium and late maturities as well as a white corn test. Yields from five locations across Kentucky are reported this year. Yields were excellent. The average yield was 181.8 bu/A for the Early Test, 186.8 bu/A for the Medium Test, 203.5 bu/A for the Late Test and 156.3 for the White Test. 

Corn Hybrid and Soybean Variety Trials Available

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky Hybrid Corn Performance Trials and Soybean Variety Performance Trials are both available online. Crops in both performance trials experienced the same heat and water stress that many crops across the state experienced in 2012. Only three sites were reported in the corn trials while all six sites were reported in soybeans.

The cross location averages are the best indicators (or predictors) of hybrid and variety performance next season. Most farmers think that the field closest to their own farms is the most relevant to them. By relying on the closest location, the person makes the assumption that the environmental conditions in 2013 will be exactly the same as the conditions in 2012. Most of us are hoping that 2013 is much better than 2012! The cross location average provides the best indicator of hybrid or variety performance across various environments.