37 Thank You for Your Trust & Time, Since 1999 Better Farming | December 2024 Often the starch in the kernel has tiny voids in it. These voids interfere with the orderly migration of moisture from inside the kernel to seed coat to be lost by evaporation. Once harvested, it is also slow to pass through the dryer and achieve storage moisture. Often, operators are tempted to increase temperature to speed up drying time. This may lead to caramelizing (burning) some kernels that might affect grade or, worst-case, have a dryer fire. Low test weight kernels are easily cracked, contributing to fines in storage and can often rebound in moisture later as it cools. It’s always a good idea to core the bin to draw the fines out of the centre to improve aeration throughout the bin. A marketing plan to move the corn quickly is a prudent idea, as this is not the kind of corn suitable for long-term storage. There is no correlation. The myth that high test weight corn is high-yield corn and, conversely, low test weight corn is low-yielding is busted. I have over 10 years of data just like this, and I will be doing it again in 2024. Perhaps the most important observation is the volume of corn in a truck to achieve the same weight differs with test weight. In a year with high test weight, it is very easy to overload a truck. The 2024 corn harvest is just starting at the time of writing this article. The planting date range in the southwest part of this province has ranged from April 11 to June 28. Harvest is starting on the earliest planted corn. Yields being reported are well above 250 bushels per acre, with harvest moisture in the low 20 per cents, down to 16 per cent in some fields. It’s too early to determine final yields, although I believe we will exceed farmers’ expectations. Test weight is ranging from 54 to 55 pounds per bushel. The other measure I like to do and will discuss in my article next month is the thousand kernel weights (TKW). The early harvested corn has TKW of 375 grams, which equates to 67,000 kernels per bushel. Historically, 90,000 kernels per bushel is used. TKW is another indicator of grain quality. I’ve not seen very many hybrids’ TKW approaching 90,000 unless there was a poor grain fill period. When choosing a hybrid, a lot of attention seems to be paid to test weight. I would instead focus on yield, hybrid characteristics around flowering dates, relative maturity, traits, placing the right hybrid on the right soil type, and optimum planting populations. The trusted certified crop advisor is often a key part of the decision-making on seed. BF crops: yield matter$ DELTA POWER EQUIPMENT Alvinston, 519-898-2961 Chatham, 519-351-4300 Dunvegan, 613-527-1501 Renfrew, 613-432-4133 Winchester CIH, 613-774-2273 deltapower.ca EQUIPMENT ONTARIO Lindsay, 705-324-6136 Port Perry, 905-982-1500 equipmentontario.com J & H SALES & SERVICE Chesley, 519-363-3510 jhsales.com PREMIER EQUIPMENT LTD. Alliston, 705-435-7551 Ayr, 519-632-8998 Elmira, 519-669-5453 Listowel, 519-291-5390 Norwich, 519 688-1011 Ospringe, 519-833-9332 Smithville, 905-957-2133 Tavistock, 519-655-2200 Salford spreaders accurately apply fertilizer, lime, or combination applicators for both. Save time with a wider swath and greater durability. SALFORD. PRECISION FROM THE GROUND UP. FIELD YOUR BEST Salford, Ontario Elie, Manitoba FALLTILLAGE & APPLICATION PROGRAM ENDS DEC 31 CONTACT YOUR SALFORD DEALER TODAY DALE COWAN Dale is agronomy strategy manager and senior agronomist for AGRIS Co-operative. He has been a regular contributor to Better Farming since its launch in 1999. CCA-ON, 4R NMS.
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