AGRONOMIC AND TEST INFORMATION: DALHART

TEST: 2007 Irrigated Corn Performance Test

LOCATION: Robert and Jared Gordon Farm, Dalhart, Texas

COOPERATORS: Robert Gordon, Jared Gordon, Nick Simpson, Dennis Pietsch, Michael Felcman, and Stephen Labar

SOIL TYPE: Dallam sandy loam

ROW WIDTH: 30"

PREVIOUS CROP: Wheat and Sunflowers

LAND PREPARATION: Striptill

DATE PLANTED: 5-8-07 with cones mounted on an ALMACO planter using JD Max-Emerge II units

PLOT LENGTH: 25’

FERTILIZER: 220+40+10+15(S)+.5 Zn. Nitrogen was applied throughout the growing season thru center pivot irrigation system. All other nutrients were applied as ½ preplant and ½ at planting.

HERBICIDE: Applied 1.4 qt/A Bicep at planting and sprayed Basis Gold when corn was approximately 18” tall.

INSECTICIDE: Applied Headline at label rate during the tassel stage for control of Gray Leaf Spot

Applied low rate of Capture at silking stage for control of mites

RAINFALL: Mr. Gordon reported the test block received approximately 10” of rainfall during the growing season

IRRIGATIONS: Applied 18” of water through the growing season by center pivot.

DATE HARVESTED: 10-18&19-07, with a JD 3300 plot combine equipped with Harvestmaster Grain Gauge System

SIZE HARVESTED PLOT: 2 rows, 25' long

TEST DESIGN: Randomized complete block

NUMBER ENTRIES: 36

NUMBER REPLICATIONS: 4

NUMBER ROWS/PLOT: 2

MEAN PLANT POP: 30,773

TEST MEAN: 280.7 bu/A; yields corrected to 15.5% moisture

TEST C.V.: 6.47%

COMMENTS: Good subsoil moisture, timely rainfall, excellent plant stands, and good agronomic practices were contributing factors that resulted in outstanding yields at this test site.

The test block was planted on May 8, which is approximately 10 days later than the optimum planting date for this area. Seedling emergence was good and rapid plant growth resulted from timely rains and irrigations. Weeds and volunteer sunflowers were controlled with a timely applied herbicide. Pre-plant fertilizer was applied and nitrogen was applied thru the center pivot irrigation system throughout the growing season. Applying insecticides at the proper time controlled spider mites and gray leaf spot.

Record yields were attained with seven hybrids producing over 300 bu/A. The test mean yield was 280.7 bu/A. Mr. Gordon reported that the remaining portion of the circle where the performance test was conducted produced 270 bu/A. Farmers throughout the area also reported outstanding yields.

Plant populations in the test ranged from 26,920 plants/acre to 33,193 plants/acre with the mean being 30,773 plants/acre. The incidence of lodging was minimal. The mean test weight was 57.2 lb/bu. This was a very uniform test as reflected by the C.V. of 6.47%.