2020 Local Plot Partner Data
Each year we look forward to digging into test plot results to identify learning opportunities. We’ve found that 2020’s data definitely provides just that. Our weather in 2020 was less than ideal and created a perfect storm as far as growing conditions go. The model planting season was followed by cold, wet weather in late April and early May, then a cooler than normal July. Add in July’s windstorm and the August Derecho, and it’s not a surprise we got the corn yields that we did. After evaluating our test plot results with these tough growing conditions in mind, here are my top takeaways.
This year’s drought was similar to 1983, 1987 and 2012, yet our corn’s performance in 2020 was much better than yields from those years. If you would have shown me these results in May, we would have been very disappointed. However, considering the tough growing season, we ultimately think the hybrids we are planting today are doing more with less and are overcoming more ecological stress than ever before. We must tip our hats to the corn breeders that continue to drive genetic innovations.
While the August Derecho was very destructive and did knock down a lot of corn, we also need to consider the yield lost from July’s windstorm event. July’s storm occurred just prior to tasseling and really slowed the plant’s ability to take up key nutrients in the ears. When a plant is knocked over but not broken off, the drying process slows. This resulted in a lot of wet corn; customer comments confirmed that wet corn and lodged stalks go hand-in-hand.
From evaluating our plot data, we noticed that Enlist™ numbers such as 28EC32 yielded just as high as the Xtend® numbers. However, Enlist™ beans averaged 61 bu/acre whereas Xtend® beans averaged 64 bu/acre. Enlist™ yields had a lower floor compared to Xtend®, which is most likely due to the breeders having more time with the Xtend® trait. In fact, looking back to bean trials in 2015, Xtend® had larger swings in yield when compared to the more established Roundup Ready® beans. This being said, we think that with more research and time the Enlist™ bean yields will even out and develop their proven yield potential.
