Corn is a major industry in South Dakota with cash sales amounting to over $2 million in 2010. The state produced 4.6 percent of the nation’s corn. It is a vital part of the state’s economy producing food, feed, and ethanol.

With the importance of the crop, corn producers are always looking for information to help increase the potential for higher yields and increase profit potential!

In order, to keep advancing in the production challenge it is critical for farmers to use as current information as possible. It is critical to select for corn varieties that express consistent yields under various environments. It is also important to exam what traits are important to your farm. Do you need strong stalk characteristics, an early or late variety, or selecting varieties for problems localized to a specific area?

Each variety must “stand on its own” Be on the lookout for numbers that finish in the bottom half of any trial.  This may indicate variations under adverse growing conditions or difficult soils.

Pay attention to cost of seed. Will the difference you are paying for the higher priced seed pay for itself in higher yields?

The Glyphosate-Resistance Corn Hybrid Performance Trials - 2011 from South Dakota State University provides corn yield research for farmers and agricultural professionals. The published report can be found under the “Resource Library” located at the iGrow Corn page.

More corn hybrid selection information is also available in Best Management Practices for Corn Production.