Corn Profitability Discussion: Hybrid Selection in 2010

1. Corn Profitability Discussion:Hybrid Selection in 2010 2009 Extension In-Service P. R. Thomison Horticulture and Crop Science Ohio State University *thomison.1@osu.edu

2. Hybrid Selection in 2010 • Importance of hybrid selection • Key criteria • Switch to traited transgenic corn • Stacked Trait and Non-Traited Hybrid Performance • Use of On-line results – Sort feature • Seed costs & Traits

3. The Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World (Dr. Fred Below, Univ. of Illinois)

4. Selecting Hybrids for Performance & Profits Key factors to consider • Maturity • Yield potential & stability • Stalk quality & standability • Drydown • Disease & insect resistance

5. Lodging: Not a Major Problem in 2008

6. Major Problem in 2009Molds and Mycotoxins P. R. Thomison, OSU B-3-41

7. Gibberella Ear Rot

8. Diplodia Ear Rot P.R. Thomison, OSU C-3-9

9. 2004 OCPT Diplodia Ratings (% Visual Damage) * Number of entries in parentheses

10. Difference Between Highest and Lowest Yielding Hybrids in Bu/A. 2009 OSU Early Maturity Corn Trials SC/WC NW NC/NE

11. Difference Between Highest and Lowest Yielding Hybrids in $/A 2009 OSU Early Maturity Corn Trials SC/WC NW NC/NE * Calculated using corn price of $3.75/bu & drying charge of $0.03 for each percentage point above 15.5

12. Difference Between Highest and Lowest Yielding Hybrids in Bu/A. 2009 OSU Full Season Corn Trials SC/WC NW NC/NE

13. Difference Between Highest and Lowest Yielding Hybrids in $/A 2009 OSU Full Season Corn Trials SC/WC NW NC/NE * Calculated using corn price of $3.75/bu & drying charge of $0.03 for each percentage point above 15.5

14. Biotech Share of Ohio Corn Acres Planted Based on 2009 crop year 3,350,000 Total Corn Acres

15. Hybrid Selection in 2010Stacked Corn Hybrids • Where RW and ECB are problems Bt traits provide outstanding protection. • According to university entomologists in the absence of ECB and WCR Bt traits are unnecessary and will not increase income. • Higher yielding irrespective of pest pressure • Frequent comment several years ago – “Traited hybrids doing more for us than protecting yields”

16. Hybrid Selection in 2010 Stacked Corn Hybrids • Are non-traited corn hybrids a viable economic alternative to traited corns? • Non-traited corn (non-GMO) premiums • Higher traited corn seed & herbicide cost • Need to consider agronomic performance, seed costs, herbicide program, weed, insect pressure. • Short term vs. long term alternative • Limited yield data

17. How much does it cost for corn seed technologies?Where is the breakeven point? Cost ($/A) matrix of corn seed sold at a premium (i.e. technology fee)

18. “Typical” Seed Costs Based on 30,000 Seeding Rate, Dec. 2009

19. Yields of Transgenic vs. Non-Transgenic Corns OCPT Early Maturity Test 2009 243- 273 (6) 245- 266 (5) 233- 280 (70) 227- 273 (63) 230- 252 (6) 214- 270 (63) 217- 263 (53) 234- 255 (8) 226- 258 (8) 229- 255 (8) 213- 262 (53) 218- 253 (53) 207- 258 (70) 221- 255 (5) 202- 228 (6) 188- 241 (63) 174- 197 (5) 149- 201 (70) SC/WC NW NC/NE

20. Yields of Transgenic vs. Non-Transgenic Corns OCPT Full Season Test 2009 243- 270 (14) 225- 283 (97) 237- 260 (9) 229- 268 (61) 200- 268 (76) 227- 256 (9) 176- 267 (76) 210- 259 (7) 203- 264 (61) 226- 249 (76) 203- 256 (76) 224- 251 (7) 190- 249 (97) 216- 246 (14) 200- 226 (9) 181- 236 (61) 176- 208 (14) 159- 205 (97) SC/WC NW NC/NE

21. Technology Traits Agronomic Evaluation 2009 • NT – Non-traited • RR – Roundup Ready • YGCB – YieldGard (YG) Corn Borer Bt (ECB) • RRYGCB – RR+YGCB • YGPL – YG Plus (ECB+RW) • RRYGPL – RR+YGPL (ECB+RW) • YGVT3 – YG Triple Stack

22. Effects of Technology Traits on Yield H109 Near-Isolines 2009 OCPT * * Final stand for the YGCB was 3000-5000 lower than other hybrids

23. Effects of Technology Traits on Yield H110 Near-Isolines 2009 OCPT

24. Are Stacked Trait Hybrids Higher Yielding? • Variation in performance between stacked trait and non-traited hybrids is related to how different genetic backgrounds respond to insertion of specific events. • Gene insertion sometimes associated w/ differences in grain moisture, stalk lodging, and grain yield - depends on genetic background and events.

25. Some New Traits….. • SmartStax ™ – 2010 (Monsanto) “Refuge in a bag” • Optimum™ GAT™ trait - 2010 (Pioneer) • Glyphosate and ALS tolerance • Optimum-Acre Max ™ (Pioneer) • Drought Resistance • Enhanced Nitrogen Use Efficiency • Anthracnose Stalk Rot Resiatance

26. Percent of Hybrids in OCPT for Multiple Years, 1999-2008

27. Yield Potential & StabilityLook for Consistency! • Choose hybrids with consistently high yields across locations and/or years • Don’t base decisions on “cosmetic” hybrid traits (flex or girthy ears, tillering, etc.) • Look for yield stability across environments (different climatic conditions) • Obtain data from multiple test sites – preferably over two years

28. Planting Different Maturities • Spread maturity selections between early, mid and full season hybrids. • Reduces damage from diseases, insects and environmental stress. • Spreads out harvest time and work load • Increases genetic diversity (also can check “variety name”) ???

29. Consult Performance Data • For more on hybrid selection check • Key Steps in Corn Hybrid Selection Available on line: • http://ohioline.osu.edu/agf-fact/pdf/0125.pdf • For more information on hybrid performance check results of the 2009 Ohio Corn Performance Trials Available on line: http://www.oardc.osu.edu/corntrials