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Bayer’s “short corn” impressing farmers

Farmers are seeing some advantages to growing short stature corn.

Eastern Iowa farmer, Adam Rahe tells Brownfield this is his second season planting it.

“It’s going to be a game changer,” he says.  “From the plant density, being able to push the population a little bit more, to the next level yield that it’s bringing, it’s definitely going to change our operation for the better.”

AUDIO: Adam Rahe – Iowa farmer

Northeastern Iowa farmer Tom Feldman says it performed well during last season’s drought.

“It was our top yielding field of corn.”  He says, “This stuff pushed up over that 300 mark. That’s the way of the future I would say.  It’s a way to keep our break evens obviously down and that’s what we need to be able to stay productive.”

Brian Naber, president of Bayer Crop Science North America, says planting the Preceon Smart Corn System has several advantages.

“That will improve standability.”  He says, “It gives farmers access to that field year round with their ground equipment that isn’t there today with tall corn.”

Both farmers say they’d plant every acre in the shorter corn if possible.

Bayer had a targeted commercial U.S. launch of the system this year, with plans for a full-scale commercial launch slated for 2027. 

Bayer highlighted the Preceon system at their recent Innovation Update in Chicago.

AUDIO: Tom Feldman – Iowa farmer