- Syngenta agronomist earns first place in the National Corn Growers Yield Contest for Minnesota’s AA Non-Irrigated category with Golden Harvest hybrid G10S30-3220 brand despite heavy rainfall, due to the seed’s advanced genetics, traits and technologies
- Strategic management decisions, including proper product positioning, optimizing soil fertility, and crop protection applications, led to hybrid success
Grower and Syngenta agronomist Gary Prescher from Delavan, Minnesota, took home first place statewide in the National Corn Yield Contest’s AA Non-Irrigated category, yielding 288.6 bushels per acre (bu/A) with Golden Harvest® hybrid G10S30-3220 brand.
According to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop report, the 2016 Minnesota corn yield average was projected to be 184 bu/A. This was the state’s second-highest yield prediction ever, and yet Gary Prescher surpassed this estimate by more than 100 bushels.
“I first noticed Golden Harvest hybrid G10S30-3220 brand in 2015 southern Minnesota field trials for its outstanding performance and tremendous yield potential along with the Agrisure Viptera® trait,” said Prescher. “I decided to take advantage of early planting in 2016 for a longer growing season, and expand my maturity from 107 days to 110 days, which added about 20 bushels to my yield.”
Operated by the National Corn Growers Association, the National Corn Yield Contest launched in 1965 to explore new ideas and production techniques. As a first-time contestant, Prescher wanted to learn something new and validate his ability to grow high corn yields.
To enter, contestants must complete an application with more than 30 questions and submit the weigh ticket. Yield results over certain thresholds must be certified by an independent local supervisor, who are typically third-party community members such as Extension agents, teachers or ag lenders trained to verify yield results. Prescher will be recognized in the awards ceremony at the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio and have his results in the National Corn Yield Competition guide.
While industry-leading genetics from Golden Harvest Corn were key to Prescher’s success, he also took calculated steps to protect the crop’s potential at every growing stage. Even the best plans can go awry with weather, and Prescher was challenged by rainfall from planting to harvest that totaled 15 to 20 inches above average.
“If I hadn’t used fungicides Quilt Xcel® at V5 and Trivapro® at R1, I would have lost 20–30 bushels from heavy disease pressure due to the excessive rainfall in 2016,” said Prescher.
To start strong with Golden Harvest hybrid G10S30-3220 brand, Prescher applied Force® 3G insecticide for greater soil pest control, resulting in more fully-developed roots and stronger stands. He then turned to Dual II Magnum® and Halex® GT herbicides to prevent waterhemp, which has a history in his champion field. Additional agronomic practices including tiling, grid sampling and three nitrogen applications were also critical to the win.
“I definitely recommend other southern Minnesota growers try Golden Harvest Corn on their acres,” said Prescher. “Even more important, growers should partner with ag industry experts to maximize field performance.”
Click here to see more...