Every grower this fall will be faced with a judgement call as to when harvest should occur for the different fields they farm.Though corn may be standing straight-up today it doesn't necessarily mean that it will remain standing that same way in three weeks time.For sure every grower should evaluate their fields by doing the push test.This will confirm which fields have good stalk integrity versus those fields that do not.Corn that has good stalk integrity can remain in the field and it will continue to dry.Over the last 10 days corn has been drying at the rate of about .4 -.5% per day. It takes 35 Ontario CHU's to drop 1 point of moisture from Physiological maturity to 25% moisture.After that it will take nearly 50 CHU's to drop corn by 1 point of moisture. The biggest concern that growers will have taking wet corn directly to the elevator is possible dockage for low test weight.A TW of 54.1 lb per bushel is required to be classified as Grade 2 corn.One cannot generate a true test weight on wet corn.For each point of moisture removed from wet corn, test weight will generally increase by .2 lb per bushel.In other words if your corn is harvesrted at 30% moisture and registers a 52.7 lb TW on a wet weight basis it would actually register closer to 55.6 lb TW as dry corn basis.

Every October Pioneer sales reps become very busy conducting field plot weigh offs for their growers.In the above photo Pioneer Rep Al Merrick of Strathroy Ontario is conducting one of his many plot comparisons.In this case he is actually holding his own field plot day.

Each hybrid in a growers plot is measured for its wet weight,its harvest moisture and its test weight.Plot length and row width as well as the number of rows harvested are all recorded as well.

On site computer calculations give a quick assessment of yield for each hybrid weighed.Growers find this kind of information very valuable in making next years hybrid selections.

As you can see, from this early harvest plot Of Al Merricks', harvest moistures are still running very high though yield propsects look very good.Take note of the lower test weights being recorded with this very wet corn.Bear in mind that these test weights will go up considerably as the corn is dried.

Of course it goes without saying that part of a good plot day is the refreshments and socializing that growers take part in while taking a break from their own busy farming schedules.

Its just amazing how good a pot of baked beans, roast beef on a bun,oatmeal and peanut butter cookies as well as a hot cup of coffee tastes on a cool fall harvest day. It truly makes growers recognize the value they play in the food chain.

THE BIG YIELDS OF THIS PLOT MADE EVERYONE GO HOME WITH MORE OPTIMISM FOR A GOOD HARVEST THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVED.KUDOS TO AL and JANICE MERRICK FOR PROVIDING THEIR GROWERS WITH NOT ONLY SOME EXCELLENT PLOT HARVEST RESULTS BUT ALSO A GREAT HARVEST MEAL.

Dr.Scott Heuchelin Research Pathologist from DesMoine Iowa recently toured and evaluated several GIB EAR MOULD SCREENING TRIALS set up across Southwestern Ontario.Scott conducts GIB EAR MOULD screening and research evaluation work for Pioneer in not only Canada and the U.S. but also in Mexico,France and Hawaii.In the above photo he can be seen discussing the pathway of gib infection with Pioneer Sales Rep Neil Rose from Erie Beach, Ontario

Dr.Heuchelins expertise on understanding hybrid differences in GIB EAR MOULD TOLERANCE is readily sought after by Pioneer Sales Reps across Ontario.In the above photo Scott is sharing his knowledge with Pioneer Sales Reps Janice Anderson and Neil Rose.

Pioneer Product Managers gain invaluable knowledge from Scott on hybrid tolerance differences to GIBBERELLA EAR ROT INFECTION.Above Dr Heuchelin discusses a hybrids tolerance level with Pioneer Product Manager Gustavo Gonalez-Roelants.

Pioneer sales rep Pat Unger from Alymer Ontario is shown above in his GIB EAR MOULD EVALUATION PLOT discussing his concerns with this years slow crop development. Research Pathologist Scott Heuchelin recently stopped by Pats farm to conduct plant tolerance evaluations.

Dr.Scott Heuchelin can be seen above sharing his research findings with Pioneer sales rep Mark Sloot from Marks' GIB EAR MOULD TRIAL planted just south of Boston, Ontario.

Western Bean Cutworm damage in Ontarios corn crop is becoming more and more evident.These shots taken just south of the town of Exeter Ontario give an indication of the kind of damage these ravaging pests can cause.As you can see above entire chunks of ears can be eaten away.How much yield loss incurred will be directly proportional to the amount of western bean cutworm damage one experiences.

Western bean cutworm larvae are very aggressive in their devouring of the corn kernel.They burrough into the cob and chew on the kernels in such a manner that they literally grind the kernel starch into a mealy flour.Not only is there a loss of yield but grain quality can be drastically affected due to the increased potential for gib ear mould infection and subsequent vomitoxin development.

This shot shows a Western Bean Cutworm larvae on an ear of corn.WBC larvae can be very ravaging pests.Outside of scouting and spraying the only sure fired method of control for this
insect is HERCULEX1 and HXX corn hybrids.All other forms of BT will not control Western Bean Cutworm.

A very distinctive characteristic of Western Bean Cutworm Laravae is how they will often burrough through the husks and into the cob of an ear much like the entry of a 22 calibre rifle shot.Given that Herculex hybrids will control Western Bean Cutworm it would be advised for growers to scout their fields of other competitive BT brand products to determine if they have any damage.

We generally don't see severe Northern Corn Leaf Blight ( NCLB ) in Southwestern Ontario for two very good reasons.Growers rotate their corn crops well and breeders have done a good job of selecting better NCLB resistant hybrids.The photo above depicts what NCLB looks like when it does pop up.The leaf on the right shows eliptical oblong lesions of northern leaf blight that are causing premature death of plant tissue.Because this infection is occurring very late in the grain fill period it will not likely have any impact on grain yield though it may have some affect at reducing stalk strength qualities.When NCLB hits hard and early which is generally infrequently, in SW Ontario, it can cause yield reductions and seriously impact stalk strength.

The above photo shows how NCLB is negatively impacting the hybrid on the right while the hybrid on the left is being barely impacted.Breeders have done an excellent job of breeding improved NCLB resistance into todays hybrids

The above photo depicts the impact of anthracnose stalk rot.The plant in the rear has already died from anthracnose infection.You can see how the stalk is already dead brown while the stalk in the foreground is a vibrant green.Anthracnose stalk rot is the #1 disease impacting Ontarios corn crop.Early premature death due to anthracnose stalk rot can cause considerable yield losses.Grain will be lighter in test weight and harvestability severely hampered when anthracnose hits hard.Infection takes place at an early stage in the plants growth and remains in remission within the plant until the stresses of grain fill create an opportunity for infection to spread into the stalks vascular bundles. When the plants phloem and xylem system are cut off any further uptake of water and nutrients is curtailed and so the upper part of the plant starts to display a grey green wilt.With time this grey green appearance turns to a dead brown senescence.This is often referred to as top dieback.There are significant differences in the degree of hybrid resistance to anthracnose stalk rot.This is one disease that you don't want to fool with.

My recommendation is to make sure that the hybrids you grow have a minimum 4 score for anthracnose stalk rot.Hybrids with a 5 score will give you an added insurance of protection.

When you see serious anthracnose stalk rot infection you need to make sure to do the PUSH TEST to evaluate which fields should be considered for early harvest.The last thing you want to do with serious anthracnose stalk rot is to leave a field to the ravages of mid to late November winds.I've seen fields in the past standing 95% one day and 100% flat on the ground the next.

HARVESTING FLATTENED CORN FROM ANTHRACNOSE STALK ROT IS NOT A FUN JOB !!

EAR SAMPLES OF PIONEER HYBRIDS 38A57 HX/LL/RR2

Rated at 2850 HU
It is later than 38M58 ( 96 CRM to silk vs 93 for 38M58 )
Will run slightly wetter than 38M58 as it silks later and dries more slowly
Produces an orangy glossy high test weight grain ( 8 )
Advanced as a companion for 38M58 for growers wanting
better roots ( 8 score ) and HEAVIER TEST WEIGHT
A defensive hybrid for tougher yielding soil environments.

Plant Population responsive hybrid particularly on high yielding soils– Check out
its population Responsiveness using the PIONEER OPTIMUM PLANT
POPULATION CALCULATOR on Pioneer Growing Point
Optimal economic planting rate on 140-190 bu/acre land is 35,000 seed drop


Watchouts
Average stress emergence score ( 5 )
Below average early growth
Below average Gib Ear Mould Tolerance ( Scores a 4 )
Doesn’t perform as well south of zone
37V63

A new 2950 HU Triple Stack Hybrid for Continuous Corn Growers
Late to flower for its maturity ( 101 vs 99 overall CRM )
Offers excellent stress emergence and good early growth
Very good drought tolerance
Key strength is its above average tolerance for Gibberella ear rot
Research data would support it outyielding 37Y14 by 3% with slightly drier harvest
moistures
Plant Population responsive hybrid particularly on high yielding soils– Check out its
population responsiveness using the PIONEER OPTIMUM PLANT POPULATION
CALCULATOR on Pioneer Growing Point
Optimal economic planting rate on 140-190 bu/acre land is 35,800 seed drop

Watchout
Below average for roots ( may see occasional root lodging ) 4 score for roots

37Y14 - HXX/LL/RR2

A popular Triple stack hybrid with excellent plant health and drought tolerance
Rated at 2950 HU for maturity
Produces nice quality grain with a solid average to perhaps above avg gib ear mould
tolerance

Very population responsive hybrid
On 140 – 190 bu/a land optimum economic seed drop is 36,300

Watchout
Flowers late for its maturity ( 101 CRM )
Average early growth and narrow leaf can make it appear much slower growing
in the spring than what it really is


P9990XR - HXX/LL/RR2

• A New triple stacked 99 CRM hybrid rated at 2950 CHU
• Flowers early for its maturity ( 95 vs 99) and much earlier than 37Y14 ( 95 CRM vs
101 CRM )
• This should help it move north better
• Advanced as a potential replacement for 37Y14
• Research data supports an approx 3 % yield improvement over 37Y14
• Good companion for 37V63
• Limited husk cover ( 3 )
• Great roots ( 8) Above average drought tolerance score

Watchouts
Average GIB EAR MOULD TOLERANCE
Avg early growth

37F75 - Double Stack Hybrid Rated at 3050 HU

Has an excellent track record as an an agronomically sound solid yielding hybrid.Offers growers above average gib ear mould tolerance for lower vomitoxins.

P0125HR - HX1/LL/RR2

Rated at 3050 HU
An exciting New Hybrid that delivered Fabulous yields in 2008
Should eventually replace 37F75 ( Flowers earlier than 37F75 100 CRM to silk vs 103 for 37F75 )
Should produce drier corn than 37F75
Offers Excellent Stress Emergence ( 7 ) and drought tolerance ( 7 )
A tall hybrid for its maturity with high ear placement
Brings both above average stalks and roots
Initial yield data would suggest similar performance in both high and low yield
environments
Need to confirm its Gib Score of 5
An excellent dual purpose hybrid for both grain and silage
Characterized by growthy upright reaching leaves
Brings an attractive deep dark green field appearance

Watchouts
Tall plant height and high ear placement may be a deterrent for some growers
despite its high yield capability
Can express purplish florescence in cool slow growing springs


P0125XR – HXX/LL/RR2 ( TRIPLE STACK VERSION OF P0125HR for
CONTINUOUS CORN GROWERS )

36V53 - HX1/LL/RR2

A double stacked hybrid rated at 3100 HU
Offers impressive yield for its maturity
Offers exceptional emergence and early growth
Good stalks and roots
Delivers Exceptional drought tolerance
Plant Population responsive hybrid particularly on high yielding soils–
Check out its population responsiveness using the PIONEER OPTIMUM PLANT
POPULATION CALCULATOR on Growing Point
Optimal economic planting rate on 140-190 bu/acre land is 35,500 seed drop

Watchout
Average Gib ear Mould tolerance
Slightly Below avg score for test weight


P0377XR – HXX/LL/RR2

A new 3100 HU Triple Stack offering for continuous corn growers
Quite similar to 36V75 for most traits
Flowers normal but dries FAST
Can deliver the yield of much fuller season hybrids
Slightly earlier than 35F44 with slightly more yield potential
Potential companion for 35F44
Good stalks and roots
Has good ear flex – produces favourable yields over a range of plant densities

Watchouts

Lighter test weight hybrid than 35F44
Scores slightly below Average for Gib ear mould tolerance
Best positioned on highly productive ground

35F40 – HX1/LL/RR2

An exceptionally early to flower hybrid for its overall maturity
Though rated at 3150 HU behaves like a 3000 HU hybrid to silk
This allows more northerly movement
A leader hybrid
Excellent silage hybrid
Can be planted in all soil environments – offers consistent stable yields
Offers exceptional drought tolerance
Good solid average Gib ear mould tolerance
Plant Population responsive hybrid particularly on high yielding soils–
Check out its population responsiveness using the PIONEER OPTIMUM PLANT
POPULATION CALCULATOR on Growing Point
Optimal Economic Planting Rate on 140-190 bu/acre land is 34,000 seed drop


WATCHOUTS
During cool springs will have a tendency to cast a purplish florescence
Its Exceptional plant health makes it a bit slower drying down in the fall
Can produce yellow ripe grain on a green stalk

35H42 – HX1/LL/RR2

A tall hybrid rated at 3250 HU for its maturity
Late to flower for its overall CRM
Small tassled hybrid
Very upright leaf architecture
Excellent stress emergence hybrid
High test weigt hybrid
Above average GIB EAR MOULD TOLERANCE
Offensive natured hybrid – PERFORMS BEST IN GOOD SOIL ENVIRONMENTS
Tremendous Ethanol extraction hybrid – one of the best