Corn Population Survey Results - UNL CropWatch, March 29, 2013
March 29, 2013
The results are in! Thank you to those of you who completed our survey on corn planting rates. We had 22 responses from readers in Nebraska and Kansas. More than half of the respondents said they weren’t planning to change their corn populations this year, while 22% said they planned to increase corn populations, and 22% said they would decrease them.
Following is a breakdown of survey responses.
What are your current irrigated and dryland corn population rates (or rates you are recommending)?
Irrigated
Populations and Counties |
DrylandPopulations and Counties
18,000 — Clay |
Are you planning to change your corn planting rates (or recommendations for these rates) for 2013?
Fifty-five percent of respondents said they planned to maintain the same populations they currently plant, 22% said they would increase, and 22% said they would decrease populations.
Please indicate the reasons for increasing or reducing your corn plant populations in 2013.
The reasons provided for increasing corn planting populations included having observed yield increases at higher populations, thinking more yield could have been achieved in the past with higher populations; test plots showed higher yields and economics; yield; UNL On-Farm Research and other research from UNL; planting for success in Nebraska—more often than not one is rewarded for that; reduced ET and taking advantage of drought-tolerant seed products.
Reasons provided for reducing corn planting rates included several responses regarding drought; problem irrigation wells; low lake levels that source irrigation water; and a new planter that plants higher populations than wanted.
Did this article on UNL's On-Farm corn population research help you in determining your corn planting rates?
Thirteen percent said the article was beneficial and will alter planting rate as a result; 61% said the article confirmed what they were already planting; and 26% did not feel it was beneficial. One comment was that it confirmed the multi-year trials conducted by that grower.
Would you be interested in conducting on-farm research (or for Ag Industry, would you be interested in partnering with UNL and your local growers in conducting on-farm research)?
While the on-farm research results are usually very interesting to growers, 81% of respondents weren't interested in conducting research. Nineteen percent were and will be contacted.
Thank you for taking our survey!
Jenny Rees for the Nebraska On-Farm Research Team
Online Master of Science in Agronomy
With a focus on industry applications and research, the online program is designed with maximum flexibility for today's working professionals.
![A field of corn.](https://casnr.unl.edu/styles/unl_hero_large/public/images/hero/agronomy.jpg)