18 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | May 2024 POPULATIONS yield. This is where corn populations come into play by increasing leaf area index and capturing solar energy to make grain. Be careful when looking at broad corn population data that is not relevant to your corn maturity zone. Significant differences exist between seeding rates of 85 to 95 to 105 for comparative relative maturity hybrids. Learning your hybrids and how they react to these environments is vital. Then taking the four key factors I talked about above and combining all this information equates to the ideal corn population for a given field. Across North America populations have increased on average 280 seeds per acre per year over the last 20 years. Over the past three years, Pioneer has conducted corn population trials in Eastern Ontario, looking at planting rates of 26-30-34-38 thousand seeds per acre. These rates are set up to determine the ideal kernels per acre corn can produce. Research has shown that kernels per acre equates to about 85 per cent yield potential. The remaining 15 per cent of yield comes from the kernel weight (depth) of the kernels each year. In 2023, there was no yield limit to our population trials. Across 14 trials the optimum agronomic population rate was 38K seeds per acre. The 2023 growing season reflected this with ample rain during the grain fill period, an extended fall grain fill growing season and ideal daytime and nighttime temperatures that did not stress the corn crop. Looking at individual hybrids, there were differences in hybrid genetics to population. Knowing these differences assists in setting the correct population rate. Maximum economic seeding rates (which considers yield, commodity price and seed cost) in the 2023 trials was within the range of 34K-36K seeds/acre. To sum up, in general, the higher the yield level is at a field or crop management zone, the higher the corn population recommendation would be. In 2024 economics are different than previous years based on corn commodity prices. Carefully look at population rates and make sure you are using realistic yield goals. Changes in commodity prices changes population levels downward slightly from an economic standpoint. If you are looking for population recommendations for your farm, check out seed company websites. Most allow you to plug in a hybrid corn, see price and commodity price, and get the latest research data at various yield levels to give you not only the highest agronomic yield but economic yield as well. Soybeans Setting soybean population rates are the opposite to corn. As soybean yield levels increase, soybean populations decrease. This reflects the soil’s capaCorn planted at too high a seeding rate in water-limiting soils competes too much for nutrients and water. Paul Hermans photo
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