- 1). Mark on the calendar the traditional start and end of the growing season in your region. Target the first heavy frosts for the end of growing season. Next use the crop heat unit chart to determine the corn hybrids that will grow within that season. List the names of these hybrids on a piece of paper.
- 2). Use the seed companies' information on strip trials to assess the crop yields of the corn hybrids you have listed. Compare the strip trial results over two years and on a variety of sites in order to assess the hardiness of the corn hybrid. List the top three hybrids from your original list.
- 3). Mitigate the risk of change by choosing two corn hybrids that have different weaknesses. For instance, many hybrids are created to be variable performers. This means that the seed will yield lower than the proven average if it encounters difficult growing conditions throughout the season. Ensure that each corn hybrid is affected negatively by a different growing condition so that there is less risk of losing the entire crop.
- 4). Choose a corn hybrid which demonstrates resistance to stalk rot, leaf blight and insects that adversely affect the crop.
- 5). Determine the amount of corn silage yielded for each corn hybrid. Corn can be planted for grain, or for silage. Silage is created when the stalks are cut from the fields, shredded and stored in silos to ferment. This is used as feed for animals. When planting corn hybrid for silage, it should yield 100 to 200 points greater than hybrid corn used for grain. It is best to choose a high-ranking silage, as it produces a larger yield.
- 6). Plant a test strip of your top three choices of corn hybrids one year prior to making the change. This way you can assess the quality of the corn and the crop yield in the exact environmental conditions and challenges that affect your crops. Assess and compare the yields and choose the corn hybrid that works for you.
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