At AgriGold we are focused on helping customers maximize every acre to raise the highest, most consistent yields possible. In doing this, our strategies revolve around basic fundamentals that can influence every stage of crop development. These stages involve stand establishment, ear development, pollination and grain fill. We refer to these stages as “The Four Quarters of Crop Development”. This approach helps growers organize the growing season, then formulate a plan to influence yield limiting factors in each quarter. In the end, achieving high consistent yields across the whole farm demands a holistic approach. The goal is to create a system in which all crop inputs and management techniques have a synergistic effect on overall production.

FIRST QUARTER = STAND ESTABLISHMENT

Proper stand establishment is about getting every plant out of the ground at the same time, providing needed nutrients to each plant for a healthy start, and protecting each seedling from unwanted pests like insects and diseases. NCGA winners like to see each plant emerge within 12 hours of its neighboring plant to eliminate early plant to plant competition.

SECOND QUARTER = EAR DEVELOPMENT

Ear development takes place early in a corn plant's life. The process begins when initial kernel rows split then become two, beginning at the butt of the ear and finishing at the tip. This process has been thought to begin in the V4 to V6 time frame and be complete at approximately V10.

THIRD QUARTER = POLLINATION

Pollination can be one of the most critical quarters in a corn plant’s life. The plant is vulnerable to Mother Nature for about 12-15 days. Silks, comprised mostly of water, must stay receptive to accept pollen, vice versa pollen must be shed at the same time silks are receptive. This quarter of growth and development can be influenced to a certain extent.

FOURTH QUARTER = GRAIN FILL

Grain fill is a time that can make or break individual hybrids because of maturity or even genetics. Many times, fast grain fill periods will showcase those genetics that fill kernels quickly like Field GXB hybrids, whereas Field GXF hybrids are showcased in cooler, long grain fill years. Either way, the goal is to lengthen out the grain fill process as long as possible so kernel depth can be maximized. Generally, a good indicator of maximum kernel depth is a brown shuck on a green stalk at black layer time (approximately 32% grain moisture), we refer to this as the “AgriGold Look”.

For more information, please visit agrigold.com