Channel Field Check Up Series: Study evaluates ROI of crop inputs

The onset of the 2022 growing season has farmers checking and rechecking their input costs. It can be challenging to balance the cost of crop inputs and realize top yield potential.

Evaluating the return on investment of various inputs, along with associated costs, helps highlight the best opportunities to boost corn yield potential. Fortunately, farmers can refer to research studies and online tools at Channel.com to help weigh the ROI of several production inputs.

In 2021, Bayer researchers conducted a trial that evaluated crop inputs and yield potential. Six different inputs were assessed in both a low management and high management production system by adding or subtracting inputs, such as adjusting seeding rates, fertility and fungicide applications. The study, titled “Corn Yield Response to Crop Inputs,” can be found at Channel.com.

To evaluate the low management system, additional inputs were added to a baseline production system. The high management system began with all the inputs in place and then adjusting or removing one input for each evaluation.

The low management system yielded about 24 bushels per acre less than the high management system. Most of the increase in yield resulted from adjusting the seeding rate from 32,000 to 40,000 seeds per acre in the high management system.

The corn product used in this study showed very good ear size at both seeding rates, but two additional ears were present in each row at the 40,000 seeds per acre seeding rate.

As planting season gets underway in Indiana, remember that maximizing yield potential starts with good stand establishment, and planting when soil conditions are fit helps corn and soybean crops achieve top-end yield potential.

If planting early, try to time planting with a warming weather trend and avoid planting into persistently cold, wet soil conditions.

There are online tools available at Channel.com to help farmers evaluate the benefits of inputs, including a profitability calculator and a Population Optimizer tool.

Using the recommendations from these tools and working with your Channel Seedsman can help maximize the potential of your Channel® corn products.