Yield Pyramid

Eastern Corn Belt Yield Pyramid

Click on each layer of the pyramid to learn more

INTERACTIVE GUIDE TO THE

Level 1: Zone Yield Average

The first level is all about your operational fundamentals and forming the strong base that will support future yield improvement.

To complete this level, you should:

Step 1

Set an appropriate yield goal

152 bu/A is the median base yield in the Eastern Corn Belt

Step 2

Choose a hybrid that is well-adapted to your soils and considers:

Maturity - comparative relative maturity (CRM) is ~1.5-2.0 bu/A increased yield

Harvest - grain moisture, harvest timing, etc.

Disease - resistance or tolerance to key local diseases

Resistance - insect and herbicide resistance options

Step 3

Use soil testing to determine nutrient levels and apply according to your yield target

Apply P, K, and soil correction based on university or soil testing lab recommendations

Calculate grain removal rate for key nutrients using the table below:

Apply all N pre-plant at 1.2 lb N/bu of yield goal with appropriate N credit to soil test, previous crop, manure, etc.

Utilize an N stabilizer such as N-Serve or Instinct to keep N in the crop root zone

Steps 4 & 5

Step 4

Control pests

Have a plan for scouting and treating weeds, insects, and foliar diseases

Step 5

Confirm good seedbed conditions and plant at a uniform depth of 2” to 2.5”

Soil temperature should be in the mid to upper 40s with warming trend

Leave 24 hours between last tillage pass and planting (this equalizes soil temperature and moisture)

Maintain good seed-to-soil contact with minimal residue in seed trench

Go to Level 2

Learn how to control pests

150 bu/acre

Level 2: Managing the Soil

150-190 bu/acre

The second level contains further nutritional and planting focuses on top of mastering everything in the first level.

To complete this level, you should:

Step 1

Set an appropriate yield goal

150-190 bu/A is the median base yield in the Eastern Corn Belt

Step 2

Select seeding rates based on Pioneer hybrid yield level recommendations

Steps 4 - 6

Step 4

Build soil test to values within median range indicated for level 2

Step 3

Tailor planter set up and planting conditions to optimize uniform seedling emergence

Level 3: Managing the Crop

190-225 bu/acre

The third level moves from managing the soil to optimally managing the crop. You’ll start to match seeding rate to yield goal and Pioneer hybrid specific recommendations.

To complete this level, you should:

Step 1

Set an appropriate yield goal

190-225 bu/A is the median base yield in the Eastern Corn Belt

Step 2

Boost seeding rate to match yield goal according to Pioneer hybrid specific recommendations

Step 4

Build soil test to values within median range indicated for level 3

Steps 5 - 9

Step 7

Plant as late of CRM hybrid as suited to your latitude

Step 8

Scout and treat insects along with foliar diseases

Do this according to university insect integrated pest management economic thresholds

Go to Level 4

Step 3

Use soil test targets and tissue sufficiency ranges to assess crop nutrient availability

Step 9

Diversify crop rotation

Level 4: Managing the Interactions

225-250 bu/acre

The fourth level nears the final stage of optimizing corn yields. This level focuses on:

To complete this level, you should:

Step 1

Set an appropriate yield goal

220-250 bu/A is the median base yield in the Eastern Corn Belt

Step 2

Increase soil targets to level 4 recommendations

Step 2

Step 3

Use tissue nutrient testing to assess nutrient uptake is within level 4 range

Step 4

Select adapted, fuller-season hybrids to optimize use of the growing season

Steps 4 - 6

Step 5

Consider optimizing fertilizer placement to increase nutrient availability

Step 6

Consider diversifying crop rotation

Split apply N with a preplant, in-season, and post-silk application

Go to Level 5

Fuller-season hybrids to maximize the growing season

Building nutrient levels to mediant ranges instead of minimum requirements

Precision fertility applications to get the most from inputs

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Use precision placement of soil applied nutrients (e.g. starter fertilizer or strip till nutrient placement) to optimize nutrient availability to the plant

Level 5: Exploring New Ideas

250+ bu/acre

The fifth level is the final stage of the pyramid and focuses on managing the timing of nutrient applications and evaluating other crop inputs.

To complete this level, you should:

Step 1

Set an appropriate yield goal

250+ bu/A is the median base yield in the Eastern Corn Belt

Step 2

Consider investment in irrigation or drainage

Step 3

Manage timing of nutrient applications to maximize uptake and reduce antagonistic effects with other nutrients

START AGAIN

Step 4

“Spoon feed” nutrients to crop

Step 5

Evaluate other crop inputs, such as PGRs or biologicals, to increase soil availability of nutrients and increase crop biomass

Step 6

Consider multiple fungicide passes to maximize healthy leaf tissue

Zone Yield Average

150 bu/acre

Managing the Soil

150-190 bu/acre

Managing the Crop

190-225 bu/acre

Managing the Interactions

225-250 bu/acre

Exploring New Ideas

250+ bu/acre

GEM Zone Yield

Maximum

Average

GEM Zone Yield

Nutrient application recommandations are based on the Pioneer grain removal rate.

Nutrient

Grain Removal (lbs/bu)

Nutrient

Grain Removal (lbs/bu)

0.03

0.54

P O

0.05

0.31

K O

0.0008

0.2

0.0001

0.04

Step 3

Use soil testing to determine nutrient levels and apply according to your yield target

Apply P, K, and soil correction based on university or soil testing lab recommendations

*Replace grain crop removal

Level 1 Target = 151 bu/acre

Action

Level 2 Target = 188 bu/acre

N = 1.2 lbs/bu yield goal, all pre-plant with appropriate N credit to soil test, previous crop, manure, etc.

212 lbs N/acre minus credits

P soil test = 38 ppm

P soil test = <35 ppm

50 lbs P O /acre + buildup if necessary*

K soil test = 150 ppm

K soil test = <130 ppm

30 lbs K O/acre + buildup if necessary*

pH = 6.0+

pH < 6.0 (BpH = 6.8)

Apply lime

Population = 31,000 plants/acre

Population = 28,000 - 30,000 plants/acre

Step 5

Focus on N efficiency

Split apply N with a preplant and an in-season application to improve efficiency to the crop

Step 6

Plant as early as possible into fit soil conditions

*Replace grain crop removal **Build (removal + 20)

Level 2 Target = 188 bu/acre

Action

Level 3 Target = 222 bu/acre

N = 1.0-1.2 lbs/bu yield goal

267 lbs N/acre split applied, subtract credits

P soil test = 40 ppm

P soil test = 38 ppm

50 lbs P O /acre**

K soil test = 150+ ppm

K soil test = 150 ppm

65 lbs K O/acre**

pH = 6.0+

pH < 6.0 (BpH = 6.8)

Apply lime

N to S ratio 14:1

N to S ratio

15-20 lbs S/acre

Population = 32,500 plants/acre

Population = 31,000 plants/acre

Consult Pioneer hybrid by yield level recommendation

Foliar fungicide

Approach® Prima fungicide

Step 3

*Replace grain crop removal **Build (removal + 20)

Level 3 Target = 222 bu/acre

Action

Level 4 Target = 251 bu/acre

N = 1.2 lbs/bu yield goal

300 lbs N/acre split applied, subtract credits

Split apply N with a replant + in-season + post- silk application

P soil test = 43+ ppm

P soil test = <40 ppm

115 lbs P O /acre*

K soil test = 160 ppm

K soil test = 150 ppm

75 lbs K O/acre**

pH = 6.0+

pH < 6.0 (BpH = 6.8)

Apply lime

N to S ratio 14:1

N to S ratio

20 lbs S/acre

Population = 33,000 plants/acre

Population = 32,500 plants/acre

Consult Pioneer hybrid by yield level recommendation

Foliar fungicide

Approach® Prima fungicide

Overall

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Median Location Yield

223

183

223

251

Planting Week

Mid May

Early May

Population

32,000

31,719

32,000

33,000

Sand %

10.0

9.8

11.0

9.4

Silt %

65.9

65.3

65.0

67.1

Clay %

22.1

21.5

22.1

22.5

CEC (meq)

13.1

12.5

13.0

14.1

Temperature (°F)

Precipitation (in)

21.6

21.1

21.4

21.8

74.0

74.8

73.0

Solar Radiation

2,416.0

2,383.2

2,409.00

2,456.3

Organic Matter (OM) %

3.1

3.0

3.1

3.2

6.3

42.8

38.0

40.0

43.5

154.0

150.2

152.5

156.5

2.6

2.4

2.6

2.8

75.6

82.6

77.7

72.5

169.2

175.2

171.6

159.4

1,795.4

1,714.0

1,718.3

1,903.4

0.48

0.46

0.48

ppm

235.3

212.1

237.3

258.1

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Controllable Variables

Most Influential Variables

Step 5

Consider a split application of N, preplant and an in-season application

Step 6

Plan your weed and pest management strategy to minimize competition with crop

Go to Level 3

Action

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Overall

N/A