Shooting for high corn yields is a topic of perennial interest to corn growers. It’s received even greater attention in recent years as more new technologies have been introduced.

According to some agronomists we’ve entered a new era characterized by a higher annual rate of yield improvement that can be largely attributed to higher yielding genetics that withstand various crop stresses better and transgenic traits that enhance crop tolerance to stress conditions. However in order to exploit the yield potential that the new technologies offer, growers need to follow proven cultural practices that are the foundation for successful corn production. The following are ten proven practices for increasing corn yields.

• Know the yield potential of your fields, their yield history, and the soil type and its productivity.
• Choose high yielding, adapted hybrids. Pick hybrids that have produced consistently high yields across a number of locations or years. Select hybrids with high ratings for foliar and stalk rot diseases when planting no-till or with reduced tillage, especially after corn. Select high yielding Bt rootworm resistant hybrids when planting after corn or where the first-year western corn rootworm variant is present.
• Follow pest management practices that will provide effective, timely pest control – especially weed control.
• Aim to complete planting by May 10. If soil conditions are dry, begin planting before the optimum date but avoid early planting or poorly drained soils. If planting late (after May 25 in central Ohio) plant corn borer resistant Bt hybrids.
• Adjust seeding depth according to soil conditions. Plant 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. Monitor planting depth periodically during the planting operation and adjust for varying soil conditions. Make sure the planter is in good working order. Inspect and adjust the planter to improve stand establishment. Slow down (4 1/2 to 5 mph) to optimize seed placement. Uneven emergence affects crop performance because of competition from larger, early emerging plants.
• Adjust seeding rates on a field by field basis. On productive soils, which average 175 bu/A or more, final stands of 30- 32,000 plants/acre or more may be required to maximize yields.
• Supply the most economical rate of nitrogen. Use an application method that will minimize the potential loss of N (incorporation/injection, consider stabilizers under high risk applications, etc.).
• Utilize soil testing to adjust pH and guide P and K fertilization. Avoid unnecessary P and K application. High soil tests do not require additional inputs.
• Perform tillage operations only when necessary and under proper soil conditions. Deep tillage should only be performed when a compacted zone is detected and soil conditions are dry (usually late summer).
• Take advantage of crop rotation – corn grown after soybeans will typically yield 10-15% more than corn grown after corn.

These are by no means the only management practices with which growers need to be concerned but they are keys to achieving high corn yields.