SEED QUALITY AFFECTS STAND COUNTS
A farmer planting anywhere from 28,000 to 35,000 seed kernels per acre expects a few plants to be missing after emergence. After all, the labeled germination for most corn companies is 90%, so even a 10% loss is possible. However, with today’s improved genetics, better cold tolerance, more accurate planters, and in Dahlman’s case, use of a color sorter during conditioning, the germination rate should be 98-100%.
Dahlman sales manager James Carlson checked the stand counts in more than 20 plots and fields across the Dahlman service area in June and early July. Says Carlson, “I found a big difference in the number of seeds planted compared to the number of plants emerged and growing.”
In fact, if one hybrid is especially low in emergence compared to others in the field, the chance for comparable yields is greatly reduced. More important, those seeds that don’t grow raise the cost of seed per acre, in some instances more than $22. The poor emerging hybrid would have to yield 6-7 bushels more per acre just to make up for its poor germination.
Dahlman’s Seed Production Manager Daryl Dahlman says “seed quality definitely correlates with plant emergence and plant health. Since we’ve been using the color sorter during conditioning, we’re seeing a 1-3% improvement in germination. The color sorter kicks out seed that has hairline cracks, kernels that are microscopically lighter and seed that is odd shaped.”
Dahlman discards that seed and some companies who don’t have the color sorter equipment are probably putting that seed in the bag for the farmer. The result: poorer germination and less plants per acre with less opportunity for maximum yield.
CHARTS FROM PLOTS AND FIELDS
The following charts show Carlson’s stand counts at various locations. Notice the wide variation in actual plants compared to planted seed.
Here’s how to read the charts:
- Hybrid name
- Planted population
- Actual stand count in the field
- Difference in stand compared to planting rate
- Seed price per bag
- Seeds per bag
- Acres planted per bag
- Cost per kernel of seed
- Cost of seed that didn’t grow
- Price per bag of seed after figuring unemerged seed loss
- Grain price
- Extra bushels needed to make up for unemerged seed
Rows 9 and 12 show the impact of corn seed that didn’t grow. The actual cost for the seed rises, and more yield per acre is needed to make up for the extra seed cost.
This summer as you scout corn fields, take time to count plants per acre compared to your seeding rate. All things considered, we’re betting that Dahlman hybrids have better germination and growing rates than most competitive seed brands. That quality and performance standard translates into better yield potential because of more plants per acre putting out profitable yields.
