Although there will be plenty of corn to pass around the Easter dinner table, the big question during this past winter was whether or not there would be enough domestic corn in 2007 to meet the needs for ethanol and food production along with those of our export partners.  To help insure sufficient supplies, corn prices steadily rose throughout much of the sledding season and planned acreage multiplied faster than a cage full of Easter bunnies.  The culmination of these events took place about a week ago with USDA’s first Prospective Plantings Report.  It affirmed that corn growers plan to sock a little over 90 million acres of seed into the ground in 2007.  That’s 12 million more than last year.

     So what happens now?  Like our Holiday Hare, prices will be hopping up and down as investors and speculators try to guess the impact of spring and summer weather.  Although there will be much interest in the daily movement of corn prices, it probably makes more sense to begin concentrating on factors that are controllable and will insure your highest possible return per acre.  I call them invisible production inputs because in most cases they cost little or nothing to implement.  As with most things in life, it’s the basic things that give us the most bang for our buck (and I’m not talking rabbits).  Take care of the following six areas and you’ll sleep well knowing that regardless of price, you’ve done your part.   

     Crop rotation:  This one might be a tough sell in 2007 because more corn acres translate to more acres of corn following corn.  However, capitalize on crop rotation where you can because it adds at least 10 to 15 percent more bushels to the final yield.  Fertilizer, herbicide, and/or insecticide costs can often be reduced or in some cases eliminated simply by taking advantage of rotation effect.

     Planting date:  It’s rare that we have good corn yields in years when most of the crop isn’t planted early.  Early planting doesn’t necessarily insure good yields because weather can turn bad at some point later in the growing season.  However, not planting early essentially guarantees average or below average corn yields.

     Planting rate:  Most producers now realize that commercial corn hybrids perform best when final stands are at or somewhat above 30,000 plants per acre. If not, be assured that the cost of a several thousand more seeds per acre will generally pay for itself several times over.

     Planter maintenance:  Uniform corn stands start with the planter.  Most producers first think of plant to plant uniformity, but of greater yield consequence is time of emergence uniformity.  Worn disc openers can cause improper seed placement. Too deep or too shallow are big time yield robbers.

     Manure and legume nitrogen credits:  Agronomists have been preaching the manure and legume nitrogen (N) credit sermon forever.  The current cost of N now offers huge rewards for the producer who takes the time to capitalize on organic nutrient credits.  This is easy money.

     Weed control:  It’s not just a question of “if” you control weeds, but rather “when” you control them.  Research is very clear that early weed control is essential to protect yield.  This might mean applying a residual herbicide pre-emergence and/or making two passes, even in a Roundup Ready system.  Glyphosate is a wonderful tool but it has a tendency to make crop producers choose easy over smart. 

     The above management factors involve little expense but can add significantly to the bottom line.  Don’t let these "invisible" crop production inputs pass you by in 2007.  Now, pass the corn, please.