Every farmer wants to have the most successful yield every year. Over time, the average yield per acre has massively increased due to improved farming methods and a better quality of seed. Over the last century, output has more than quadrupled, meaning you can now make far more money per acre than ever before in corn farming history.
When it comes to the time of year for planting your seeds, there are a few things that you can do to help improve your corn yield potential. These tips and techniques will help you generate the most successful season possible. If you’re about to start farming or simply looking for some reminders on how to do it right, read on for the top tips to help improve corn yield potential.
Maximizing Yield = Maximizing Profit
It almost goes without saying that more efficient farming and maximizing your yield potential is inherently tied to maximizing your profit margins. Farming requires dedication, patience, and concentration to make sure that yield is as high as possible. The last thing you’d want is to find that some poorly sown seeds or some cut corners during the process have led to a much lower yield than you could have achieved. So, it’s hugely important to follow these steps and take your time with them. Get ahead of the game by doing everything right in the spring, which will lead to a successful harvest later in the year.
Calculate Potential in Advance
One of the most simple things you can do in advance of the spring is to calculate your farm’s yield potential. It’s simple, maximise profit with a corn yield per acre calculator, a simple tool to help you understand what the yield and profit potential for your land is. All you’ll need to do is measure your acreage and understand the average amount of crop you can get into each acre. Then, input the data into a simple calculator – along with a few more corn-based statistics – and you’ll be able to quickly see how much your yield potential for corn is. This can help you plan your sowing, how much seed to buy, and help you see what your overall return on investment may be. Without a calculation, you are simply shooting in the dark, hoping for a good return.
Sow at Optimal Temperature
All farmers understand that springtime is the right time to sow crops. It’s been done this way for centuries for a reason! But, there’s more to it than simply waiting for the sun to come out after a long, cold winter.
First off, you need to be sure that the last frost of winter has passed. Wait a good two weeks after any frost to be sure that the season has finally changed. Once the sun is out regularly, you need to be constantly checking the temperature of your soil. As soon as it hits a consistent 16 degrees celsius, you can start to sow your seeds. This temperature is optimal for corn seed, while it also guarantees that the seeds will receive ample sunlight during the initial germination phase.
Monitor Soil Regularly
It’s all well and good to sow the seed at the right time of year, but there’s no point sowing seed in soil that’s not ready, not fit for purpose, or filled with weeds. Manually testing your soil is the only way to be sure that the right levels of nitrogen and other nutrients are present. Take samples and analyze them if possible. When it comes to weeds, it’s not enough to simply scan the land and have a look. You need to walk your fields on foot to look closely at the soil. Any sign of the smallest weeds could lead to problems when you sow your seeds.
Tackle Weeds if Necessary
If there are weeds present in your land, you’ll need to effectively tackle them before sowing your corn seeds. The best way to do this is with natural herbicides. If you can identify the weed, you may be able to find a selective herbicide that tackles that one particular species. If the weeds seem varied or you don’t quite know what they are, a general herbicide should do the trick. These herbicides should be selected carefully, as you don’t want something that damages the soil for farming corn.
Rotate Crops Yearly
Another simple trick used by many farmers is to rotate crops around their fields every year. Different crops have different demands for the soil, so if you constantly plant corn in the same place, it eventually will not be able to find enough nutrients, leading to the use of expensive fertilizers or simply losing crops. Rotate between corn and soybeans around your farm on a yearly basis to help keep enough nitrogen and other nutrients buried in your soil.
Plant Quality Seed
When farming, you want to use a high-quality seed to ensure that your crops grow tall and strong. There are hundreds of hybrid, non-GMO, and traditional seeds to choose from. If you are unsure of what will work best, seek advice from an expert. They may be able to tell you which seed will grow best in your area, with your climate, or based on any other natural factor. Choosing the highest quality seed will lead to the highest quality – and most profitable – crop for harvesting.
Space and Depth of Planting
Finally, make sure you plant the seeds effectively, whilst keeping them spaced out enough. The seed should be sown at a depth of around 1.5-2 inches and no shallower. They should also have ample room to grow. If two plants are growing too close to one another, one could become dominant, causing the other to die or underdevelop. Spacing evenly creates fair competition and a healthy yield.
These simple tips will help ensure that you plant your seeds effectively and at the right time. Failure to follow these methods could lead to an underwhelming or underperforming crop, leading to financial difficulties for you and your farm. Take your time and plant them right.