Taking the Guesswork out of Planting Populations
The annual Farm Progress Show brings in a variety of corn growers from all around the US and the world. Those growers all have the same goal -- to maximize yield potential in their fields. However, every one of those farmers has different field conditions, soil types, weather and a variety of other agronomic factors. So, how do you find the best agronomic management practice for each of them?
Meet the Generation V (Gen V) planter, a one-of-a-kind research planter that can evaluate corn hybrid performance at multiple populations under varying yield environments. This automated planter has the capacity to evaluate five different populations of hybrids at both 20” and 30” rows at every single site. This capability leads to more than 200,000 unique cell rows of seed in a single field, allowing Monsanto to make more than 35,000 yield observations in one season. The massive amount of data collected from testing programs using the Gen V can help farmers select the right seeds under the right planting populations to achieve higher yield goals.
The Gen V planter is part of the improved agronomics pillar of Monsanto’s commitment to double yields in corn, soybeans and cotton by 2030. Improved agronomic management tools, like the Gen V planter, enable farmers to turn information into management -- leading to a more sustainable approach to crop production. Improved agronomic practices like the Gen V planter, along with superior germplasm and biotech traits will help make the goal of doubling yields by 2030 possible.
