Growing Corn Profits through Cooperative Research in Arkansas
Agronomy & Pest Management
Kyle Sanders
CEA - Agriculture
University of Arkansas Syst. Div. of Agri. Ext. Serv.
Lonoke
Abstract
The Arkansas Row Crop Verification Program is an interdisciplinary effort among growers, county Extension agents, Extension specialists, and Division of Agriculture researchers. It is an on-farm demonstration of all the research-based practices and technologies recommended to maximize the production and profitability of row crops in Arkansas. The overall goal is to verify that management according to Division of Agriculture recommendations can result in increased profitability compared to standard producer practices. Some other goals of the program are to establish an economic database, demonstrate that high yields can be constantly achieved economically, promote timeliness in management decisions and provide training and assistance to new county agents. For two years, agent has been working with Moery Farms in Lonoke County. In 2021, the corn verification was an 81-acre field and the Hybrid Armor 5550 was planted. In 2022 we planted Hybrid Dekalb 65-95 VT2PRO on a 44-acre field. The crop was planted on April 29, 2022 on 30” row spacings and it emerged on May 6, with a plant population of 34,450 to 36,000. The crop was irrigated five times during the growing season using an 8” electric well. Recommendations were made for herbicides and fungicides during the growing season based on IPM principles. A telemetry unit was installed in the field soon after the crop was planted. Moisture sensors were set at 6-12-18 and 30 inches to monitor moisture from both irrigation and rainfall during the growing season. Weekly visits were made to the field to monitor growth levels, disease issues and days to maturity. The plants grew to a height of 86” at maturity. The crop yielded 188 bushels/acre and was harvested with a Case 2388 combine with a 20’ header. Through this program the cooperator learned his yields would have been better if he had followed the Extension recommendations on his first watering rather than depending on rainfall in the forecast. It was estimated that he had a reduction of 50 bushels/acre because of the missed timing of one irrigation. The grower also experienced a 5% loss due to mechanical damage when applying pesticide. The Arkansas Row Crop Verification Program is an interdisciplinary effort among growers, county Extension agents, Extension specialists, and Division of Agriculture researchers. It is an on-farm demonstration of all the research-based practices and technologies recommended to maximize the production and profitability of row crops in Arkansas. The overall goal is to verify that management according to Division of Agriculture recommendations can result in increased profitability compared to standard producer practices. Some other goals of the program are to establish an economic database, demonstrate that high yields can be constantly achieved economically, promote timeliness in management decisions and provide training and assistance to new county agents. For two years, agent has been working with Moery Farms in Lonoke County. In 2021, the corn verification was an 81-acre field and Hybrid Armor 5550 was planted. In 2022 we planted Hybrid Dekalb 65-95 VT2PRO on a 44-acre field. The crop was planted on April 29, 2022 on 30” row spacings and it emerged on May 6, with a plant population of 34,450 to 36,000. The crop was irrigated five times during the growing season using an 8” electric well. Recommendations were made for herbicides and fungicides during the growing season based on IPM principles. A telemetry unit was installed in the field soon after the crop was planted. Moisture sensors were set at 6-12-18 and 30 inches to monitor moisture from both irrigation and rainfall during the growing season. Weekly visits were made to the field to monitor growth levels, disease issues and days to maturity. The plants grew to a height of 86” at maturity. The crop yielded 188 bushels/acre and was harvested with a Case 2388 combine with a 20’ header. Through this program the cooperator learned his yields would have been better if he had followed the Extension recommendations on his first watering rather than depending on rainfall in the forecast. It was estimated that he had a reduction of 50 bushels/acre because of the missed timing of one irrigation. The grower also experienced a 5% loss due to mechanical damage when applying pesticide.
Authors: Kyle Sanders
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Kyle Sanders CEA - Agriculture, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Arkansas, 72086