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The ag industry is abuzz with conversations of a revolution. Short-stature corn is changing the game, and more seed companies than ever before are starting to play. At Stine^®, we’re elated the rest of the industry is leaping forward with this way of thinking — a mindset that short-stature corn is the way of the future. We are proud to have been at the forefront of this revolution for the past three decades. Now, we are well positioned to offer growers short-stature corn products that have been time-tested, generation after generation, for ultimate yield performance.

The origins of Stine short-stature corn
“We stumbled upon short-stature corn by accident,” says Stine President Myron Stine. “We began breeding corn in the 1970s, but what we didn’t realize then is that with each passing year, our hybrids were getting shorter and shorter. Essentially, we were selecting the highest-yielding genetics in our program to move on to the next generation, and our highest-yielding germplasm just so happened to be from shorter plants. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that this became apparent after we started looking at plant height in our plots.”

Since our corn breeding program’s inception, the main criteria we’ve used to select the genetic material that advances to future generations are standability and yield. As history tells us, the highest yield is produced in high-population environments. Simply put, the more plants per acre, the more yield. This knowledge has always steered us to select products that handle the stress of being in higher populations and advance those through our breeding program. 

“We didn’t purposefully get into short-stature corn; our breeding process brought that to us,” says Stine. “Now, we know it’s the way of the future.”

Our position in the industry
Our winter nursery work has allowed us to produce more generations of short-stature corn each year — faster than other seed companies in the industry. Our shorter material has evolved to produce plants that have better standability, more upright leaves for better utilization of sunlight, ideal ear placement, less biomass and the ability to thrive in higher population environments.

“Our advantage in the industry is that we’ve been working with short-stature corn a lot longer than our competitors,” says Stine. “We’re probably about 50 to 60 generations ahead of the rest of the industry because we recognized its value early on. Now, Stine has some of the most refined short-stature germplasm in the industry.”

However, while our hybrids have always been shorter in stature compared to competitors, they’re likely not going to get any shorter.

“We feel we’ve hit the sweet spot for short-stature corn,” says Stine. “We once tested very, very short corn, and it failed. I don’t believe it will continue to get shorter at this point. Our focus is to continue to produce the most efficient plants that can thrive in higher populations.”

Features and benefits
Short-stature corn is more efficient. The shorter architecture of the plants not only allows for better standability but also makes more efficient use of nature’s resources. With our corn, in particular, the hybrids are designed to have a more upright leaf structure so the plants can harvest more sunlight; shorter tassels that are closer to the ear for pollination, and better ear placement ideal for harvestability. Our short-stature corn also produces less biomass, leaving less residue after harvest. And most importantly, our short-stature corn thrives in high-population environments — the key to getting higher yields.

“As we move to high-population environments, shorter plants tend to fare better than taller plants because they make better use of the space they’re allowed in,” says Stine. “With our hybrids, we’ve figured out the secret to putting grain on the plant — a much shorter plant — and in higher populations. It’s truly a revolution in corn production.”

To learn more about our short-stature corn, contact your local Stine sales rep or regional sales agronomist.

As 92% of the nation’s corn crop has entered the dough stage (R4), growers should be able to make yield estimates of their crop. Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist and extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says, “After R3 (milk stage) is a great time to venture into corn fields to make yield estimates as kernel abortion is less likely and plant stress will result in reduce[d] kernel size or fill rather than kernel loss.” Corn yield estimations can typically be done after R3 and prior to harvest.    

Here’s what you need to know to get started.  

The standard calculation

The standard yield calculation is CornYield = Ears/Acre * Kernel rows/Ear * Kernels/Row and divide the equivalent of the three by Kernels/Bushel. In an average year, it’s safe to assume there are 90,000 kernels/bushel. However, that number can (and should) be adjusted based on stress levels of any given year and planting population. 

”If you have 34,000 harvestable ears, an average of 32 kernels per row and an average of 16 rows, then divide that by 90,000 kernels/bushel,” explains Todd Schomburg, director of agronomy at Stine^®. “Your yield estimate is 193.4 bushels/acre.”

Simplified, that’s 34,000 x 16 x 32 = 17,408,000/90,000 = 193.4 bushels/acre.

At Stine, we follow this industry standard for estimating corn yields, but we also have the Stine Yield Estimator that aids growers in calculating yield more precisely.

“The Stine Yield Estimator uses three variable kernels/bushel numbers,” says Schomburg. “80,000 for excellent growing conditions or heavy kernel grain; 90,000 for average growing conditions; and 100,000 for poor growing conditions or light kernel grain. If you want to use our Stine Yield Estimator on your corn fields this year, reach out to your local Stine independent sales rep or regional sales agronomist.”

TIPS FOR SAMPLING

“The formula for calculating yield has a typical margin of error of +/- 20 bushels per acre,” says Schomburg. “That said, it’s important to follow the rules of field sampling if you want an accurate estimate. Sampling recommendations vary by industry expert, but we follow the same ones each year.”

These tips include:

• Test at a minimum of five different areas of the field. These need to be in the field and not from the outside rows.
• Within those five areas, measure 1/1000th of an acre and calculate the number of plants within that section that have harvestable ears. (See this chart for how measurements vary by row width).
• In that section, select six to 10 harvestable ears at random. Anderson recommends choosing every fifth harvestable ear. Another industry expert suggests pulling the fifth, eighth and 11th ears from plants in one row of the sampling area. Remember the more ears you collect, the more accurate the sample; however, there must be some variability in how you select the ears.
• For each ear, count the number of kernel rows around the ear, and the approximate number of harvestable kernels on the length of each ear. This is an important step to calculate yield in the formula mentioned above. Do not include aborted kernels or tipped-back areas of the ear.

Remember, CornYield = Ears/Acre * Kernel rows/Ear * Kernels/Row and divided by Kernels/Bushel. If you need support calculating yields in your Stine corn fields this year, consult one of our sales reps or a local extension expert.

The Sept. 6 Crop Progress Report notes that 15% of the nation’s corn crop has matured. For soybeans, 10% are in the leaf-dropping stage. There is undoubtedly time before harvest begins, but as we mentioned in last week’s article, it’s best to be proactive versus reactive to avoid any untimely breakdowns and setbacks.

In our last edition of Stine Weekly, we discussed ways to plan ahead for harvest and tips for checking equipment. This week, we’ll discuss how to prep grain bins with a focus on staying safe in and around bins and grain-handling equipment.

“Prepping your grain bins for harvest should not be overlooked,” says Todd Schomburg, director of agronomy at Stine^®. “A clean, well-sealed and climate-controlled bin ensures you don’t put the quality of your seed at risk.” 

Here are a few industry recommendations for prepping bins and staying safe in and around grain-handling equipment.

Clean bins. If there’s old grain in the bin, safely remove it. Whether you use a vacuum system or broom, cleaning old grain out from the bin ensures the new grain won’t be tainted by insects, mold or any other issue that may be present in your old grain. Some experts even recommend applying an insecticide or fumigating the bin after cleaning to prevent any pest or pathogen from infesting new grain.

Penn State University Extension says, “Several species of beetles and moth caterpillars can attack stored grain. Once insect infestations are established, they are difficult to control, so a good mindset is ‘start clean to stay clean.’”

If you intend to apply an insecticide or fumigate, it’s best practice to do so a few weeks before grain fill and to follow label instructions. It’s also recommended to wash out grain bins and check any vents, doors or seams for old grain or insects.

Clear augers and other grain-handling equipment of debris. Ensure augers and other grain-holding and filling equipment are free of old seed or traces of insects. Experts from the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources note, “Even small amounts of moldy or insect-infested grain left in equipment can contaminate a bin of new grain.”

Check for cracks, gaps and leaks. Once your bin is clean of debris, it’s important to examine the interior and exterior of the bins for any cracks, gaps and leaks where excess moisture or insects might be able to enter. Check the foundation for cracks, the roof for any leaks, and the doors and vents for any gaps. Where possible, seal any openings.

Moisture control. Before filling bins, make sure that any grain you intend to fill it with is properly dried.

“We recommend drying corn until it’s around 15% moisture for short-term storage,” says Schomburg. “For soybeans, it’s best to keep moisture levels at around 13%. This prevents the seed from mold or moisture-feeding insects.”

Another important task — once in the bin, level the grain to allow for better airflow.

Stay safe

Grain entrapment and engulfment are not to be taken lightly. In fact, in the 2021 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities, “No fewer than 56 fatal and non-fatal cases involving agricultural confined spaces were documented in 2021.” And “There were no fewer than 29 grain storage and handling related entrapments in 2021.”

Safety is of the utmost importance when in and around grain bins. Recommendations include:

• Educate operators. Anyone entering grain bins or operating grain-handling equipment such as augers should understand the safe operating procedures of the equipment. Read all manuals, take safety courses and review educational resources wherever and whenever available.
• Employ the buddy system. Never go into a grain bin or operate an auger without another person around.
• Wear PPE. Always wear the appropriate grain respirators or masks to avoid inhalation of grain dust. Consider protective eyewear to keep dust from entering your eyes.
• Avoid loose clothing. Loose clothing, jewelry or anything dangling from your clothing can become entangled in an auger.
• Check CO2 levels before entering a bin. CO2 sensing is a method of checking levels in your grain and the bin. High CO2 levels can lead to grain spoilage and are also dangerous to humans’ respiratory systems.
• Avoid power lines. Augers should be lowered appropriately when operating in and around power lines.
• Make others aware of hazards. Post warning signs in and around grain bins to alert others to the dangers they pose.
• Check ladders, staircases and cages. Avoid trips, falls and spills by checking that all ladders, staircases and cages are safe and properly secured before climbing or entry.
• Wear a harness. If entry into the grain bin is necessary, always wear a harness and have another person around.
• Shut it down. Shut down the auger or any other equipment that may be operating before entering a grain bin.

“Grain bin and grain-handling safety is critical not only during harvest but year-round,” says Schomburg. “Growers and grain operators must be diligent in employing safety measures when cleaning and checking bins, as well as when operating augers and other grand-handling equipment. Complacency is not an option. 

For more information on grain bin prep and safety, consult your local Stine sales representative or agronomist