Michigan State University
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
East Lansing, MI 48824-1325

MICHIGAN CORN PERFORMANCE TRIALS
Entry forms are enclosed for the 2008 Michigan Corn Performance Trials. If you would like to enter, please return the post card ASAP, this will hold your spot in the trials. Entries are due by March 15, 2008. Mail one entry form to us and keep one copy for your files. If you have more than one Brand Name per company, submit separate entry forms for each Brand. Entry into the trials is for the implied purpose of publishing yield results of hybrids under their commercially released name. Experimental hybrids listed under a Brand name are accepted. Electronic Entry is available online at our web site.

The objective of the Michigan Corn Performance Trials is to provide unbiased performance data on corn hybrids in scientifically conducted trials throughout Michigan. Participation by all seed companies marketing seed corn in Michigan is encouraged. This data provides Michigan farmers with a good representation of available hybrids. Your participation in providing voluntary entries is appreciated.

PROCEDURES
Hybrids are divided by relative maturity as listed on the entry form into an early or late maturity group in Zones 1, 2, and 3. Seed of each entry is counted, packaged, and arranged in a randomized lattice design with four replications. Four row plots, 22 feet long, are planted for all plots using a vacuum plate planter. Harvest data will be taken from the center two rows. Hybrids are tested at all locations within each zone entered. Hybrid identifications are coded throughout the season and decoded only after all data has been processed.

Stand counts are taken before corn is knee high, lodging counts taken at harvest. Plots are harvested mechanically. Data on yield, moisture content at harvest, test weight at harvest moisture, lodging, and percent stand are processed on MSU computers. Grain samples are collected from one location in each zone and are analyzed for protein, starch, and oil content. Silage tests are harvested uniformly as close to 35% dry matter as possible. Silage results present the percent dry matter of each hybrid and dry weight as tons per acre. Quality analyses for silage are predicted via near infrared reflectance (NIR), milk production is estimated using MILK2000. We are continuing to work on a NIR equation for predicting grain Ethanol production.

A pre-publication copy of the data is sent to all participating companies. Final results are published in booklet format as "2008 Michigan Corn Hybrids Compared.” One, and two year averages, based on data from 2008 and 2007 will be summarized for each zone. Complete tables with two year averages for each individual location are available at our web site: http://www.css.msu.edu/varietytrials/. Three year yield averages will not be published as less than 1 in 20 hybrids entered in 2007 were entered over 3 years.

Zonal boundaries are an arbitrary designation based on thirty year average Growing Degree Day heat units for (May 1 to Sept 30). Estimates are 2500-2800 in Zone 1, 2400-2600 in Zone 2, 2200-2400 in Zone 3, 1900-2100 in Zone 4, and 1700-1900 in Zone 5, enter hybrids accordingly. Many hybrids are adapted to more than one zone. An early season hybrid in one zone may be a late season hybrid in another. The maturity splits between early and late trials in 2007 were: 107-108 Day for Zone 1, 101-102 Day for Zone 2, and 96-97 Day in Zone 3 and 97-98 Day in the Glyphosate Resistant trial. The maturity split for Zone 1 silage was 110-111 day, Zone 2-3 silage was at 104-105 day. These can change depending on the 2008 entries.

LOCATIONS AND FEES
Fees will remain the same as in 2007. Three county trials are used in each zone and are identified on the back. Grain trials are $250 per entry for Zones 1, 2, 3 and 4. Zone 5 is $120 with two locations. The Glyphosate Resistant trial is $450 (saving $50/entry) with entry in either Zone 2 or 3 and $630 (saving $120/entry) for entry in both Zones 2 and 3. Menominee County hybrids grouped with Zone 4 will be designated (Late) and while hybrids grouped with Zone 5 will be designated as (Early).
Silage trials with 3 locations are $400 per entry for Zone 1, and Zone 2/3 trial. The Zone 4 trial is $350. Zone 5 with 2 locations is $170. Zones 4 and 5 will have one maturity grouping.

Please be sure to indicate the relative maturity for each hybrid on your entry form. List all hybrid traits and/or transgenics by the number listed in the code appendix. If there are any marketing restrictions check the appropriate box. Be sure Company name, Brand name and Hybrid number are listed on the entry form as they should appear in the bulletin. Hybrids entered in multiple years must keep identical hybrid numbers year to year.

GRAIN TRIALS
ZONE 1 ($250)
Lenawee
Branch-Irrigated
Cass-Irrigated

ZONE 2 ($250)
Kent
Ingham
Saginaw

ZONE 3 ($250)
Huron
Montcalm-Irrigated
Mason-Irrigated

ZONE 4 ($250)
Alpena
Grand Traverse
Menominee-Late

ZONE 5 ($120)
Delta
Menominee-Early

GLYPHOSATE RESISTANT TRIALS
1 conv. Trial ($450)
2 conv. Trials ($630)
Z 2/Saginaw
Z 3/Huron
Z 3/Montcalm-Irrig’d

SILAGE TRIALS
ZONE 1 ($400)
Branch
Lenawee
Wood (OH)

ZONE 2/3 ($400)
2/Kent
2/Ingham
3/Huron

ZONE 4 ($350)
Alpena
Osceola
Menominee-Late

ZONE 5 ($170)
Delta
Menominee-Early

Entry forms and fees need to be submitted by March 15, 2008 so field designs can be generated. Please make checks payable to MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY and send to Keith Dysinger’s attention at the address listed below. Please check that envelopes are addressed correctly to guarantee proper delivery. Returning the post card ASAP will assist us in planning and reserve your entry in the trials. If the name and department are not on the check they can be miss directed else ware on campus.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
ATTN: KEITH DYSINGER
DEPARTMENT OF CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES
EAST LANSING, MI 48824-1325

“Window” checks need to contain the same complete address to avoid any confusion.

SEED AND SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS: Seed should follow the March 15 deadline shortly so we have time for packaging. If seed shipment is delayed past April 1st for any reason (winter nurseries, etc.) please let us know so we can plan accordingly.

We need three pounds of seed for each zone in which a hybrid is entered (two zones = six pounds, etc.). Remember Glyphosate entries will require 6 lbs. of seed, 9 lbs. if entered in both conventional trials. Please, submit only BULK SAMPLES (one bag per hybrid). We recommend you send us MEDIUM flat or round seed sizes for optimum planting accuracy. Please forward this shipping information to the proper individuals for shipping. We request that seed be taken from warehouse lots whenever possible. Please join us in presenting the most unbiased information possible. Seed treatment product(s) must be identified and followed with a MSDS form for each product(s).

Please address seed shipments as follows:

KEITH DYSINGER
CROP SCIENCE FIELD LAB
4450 BEAUMONT ROAD
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
EAST LANSING, MI 48824

Please take time to mark the enclosed stamped post card with your intentions for entry and return to us. This will hold space for you in the trials and it helps us to know as early as possible as to who will be entering the 2008 trials.

We invite your continued cooperation in this program. Participation of all companies marketing seed corn in Michigan is vital to the success of these trials. Any suggestions you have for improving the trials will be welcomed at any time.

Keith Dysinger and Bill Widdicombe, Research Assistants

TELEPHONE: (517) 355-2287
FAX: (517) 353-3515
E-MAIL: dysinger@msu.edu or widdico1@msu.edu
WEB-SITE http://www.css.msu.edu/varietytrials