Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR)^® team is constantly testing new products on the market in an effort to determine which ones will add profit to the farm, and ultimately help farmers succeed. Over the last few years, different foliar products have been tested at multiple locations to evaluate their effects on yield and profitability. Beck’s three-year, multi-location PFR data has shown an increase in yield and a positive return on investment (ROI) with Versa Max™ AC, NutriMax AC™, and MAX-IN Ultra^® ZMB^®. Because of this, all three products were given the PFR Proven™ stamp in 2016. These products helped increase the number of kernel rows on the ear. All were applied during the V4 to V5 growth stage in corn, as this is the timing in which that is determined in corn.

Now that Beck’s PFR has established a list of foliar products that work, the next question they set out to evaluate was if there is a time of day when these products perform best. Many companies mention that their foliar products will produce better results when not applied in the heat of the day. In 2016, Beck’s PFR conducted a foliar time and temperature study, in which the team strived to answer the question, “what time of day is ideal for plant uptake of foliar nutrients?” This study included an 8:00 a.m. application timing with temperatures at 70°F and then a 3:30 p.m. application when temperatures were at 88°F. In addition, a nitrogen (N) efficient hybrid (BECK 5829A4) and a higher N user (XL^® 5665AMX™*) were both tested to determine if there was a difference in the uptake of other nutrients between these two hybrids. When observing this study in 2016, tissue samples following the foliar application showed that the morning application had 18 percent more N and 28 percent more sulfur when compared to the afternoon application.

At the end of the season, yields showed that the higher N user (XL^® 5665AMXTM*) experienced a greater increase in yield with the addition of a foliar application. This is likely symbolic of how the two hybrids utilize micronutrients as well as N.

Beck’s PFR will continue to conduct application timing tests in 2017 to evaluate the potential impact these foliar products may have on yield and profitability. Check back this fall for these results.

*PFR Proven™ was developed in 2016 to identify the products and practices that are likely to be most profitable. If a product has been tested in PFR and found to provide yield gains and averages a positive ROI over a minimum of three years, then that product will earn the status of PFR Proven and should be something to consider trying on your farm. If a practices has been tested in PFR and found to be the most profitable, then it will also receive the status of PFR Proven. Please consult with your local Beck’s representative or trusted advisor for best management practices in your area.

Practical Farm Research (PFR)® and PFR Proven™ are trademarks of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc. Versa MaxTM is a trademark of Midtech R&D, Inc. NutriMax ACTM is a trademark of ExcelAg Corp., USA. MAX-IN Ultra® ZMB® is a registered trademark of Winfield Solutions, LLC. *®XL, Optimum and AcreMax are registered trademarks of Pioneer. XL® brand seed is distributed by Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.