15 Ate Today? Thank a Farmer. Better Farming | May 2024 The No. 1 question I get as a seed agronomist is, “What is the ideal population for corn and soybeans?” The usual answer is, “It depends.” It depends on several factors – some of which are in our control and others which are not. Corn Many factors influence corn population, but the key criteria for setting a given seeding rate include: 1) Hybrid response to population. 2) Soil type and water/nutrient-holding capabilities broken down into yield zones on a per bushel basis. 3) The price of corn seed. 4) What is the commodity price of corn for the period you are selling it at? I have said before that you should think about setting populations in the same way a realtor prioritizes criteria when selling a house. Location, location, location matters. In corn, the most important factor is water availPOPULATIONS Prioritize location when setting populations. Paul Hermans photo
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