Corn acreage, soil type, tillage practices, desired harvest moisture, and pest problems will determine the relative importance of such traits as dry down, disease resistance, early plant vigor, etc. Certain weed and insect problems may warrant the use of herbicide resistant and Bt corn hybrids. End uses of corn should also be considered. Choose hybrids with maturity ranges appropriate for your geographic area or circumstances. Because fossil fuel prices have risen significantly, you should give careful attention to moisture differences between hybrids when evaluating grain yield.
Grain drying represents a major portion of the energy requirement for corn production.
Review results of state, company, and county performance trials before purchasing hybrids. Because weather conditions are unpredictable, the most reliable way to select superior hybrids is to consider performance during the last year and the previous year over a wide range of locations and climatic conditions. When using University performance trials results, two years of data from several locations is usually adequate. Test summaries for three or more years may exclude new hybrids with improved performance potential. Contact the extension office if you would like a hard copy of these reports.