Corn growers appear to be sacrificing yield by not paying enough attention to the calibration of their seeders before heading to the field in the spring.
As part of the Manitoba Corn Growers Association’s annual corn competition, the uniformity of plant spacing in fields was measured last year.
Of the 27 producers who entered the corn competition, 16 had some potential yield loss due to non-uniform plant spacing.
In other words, the seeds in several of the corn fields examined had not been evenly placed when planted last spring.
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While the survey was not that scientific, its findings are worth noting.
“Basically, we just wanted to bring up the fact that growers should probably be calibrating their seeders each spring and making sure everything is in good working order,” said Pam de Rocquigny, a Manitoba Agriculture special crops agronomist.
Uneven spacing can mean plants grow too close together and must compete for moisture and nutrients.
De Rocquigny said seeding speed can also make a difference.
“We always stress don’t drive too fast because you’re going to get skips and that type of thing. I know it’s hard, because there’s always a rush on in the spring to get the crop in the ground.”
Examining a corn crop after it has emerged can tell growers how successful they were.
