Cambridge, southwestern Nebraska | Definitely seeng the improvements in corn genetics here. 20 years ago 100 bushel dryland corn was excellent and was our yield goal. 10 years ago 125 was tops and our yield goal was 100-120. Now, we are attaining 140-160+ yields for the past 3 years in a row and we are making ourselves accept the fact we need to make our yield goal 150 and fertilize accordingly. Populations have crept up from 16,000 to 18-19,000 in that time but that isn't the only reason we are seeing better yields. Granted we have to have enough rainfall and timely rainfall but these new hybrids can crank out some big yields given half a chance.
Looking back over the past 20 years, yields improved around 2 bushels per year or about 2% per year. Mainly from genetics. Cultural practices have stayed pretty much the same.
Frankly, I did not see that coming 20 years ago. |
Plant genetics changing fast: first spring wheat, now corn and beans
