December 05, 2006
UNL Extension Meetings Will Address Skip-row Corn Production
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — A series of four University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension meetings will address results of field trials on skip-row corn planting.
Skip-row corn planting, which involves leaving some rows unplanted to leave more water available for the crop later in the season, has been conducted since 2003. The water-saving strategy has improved yields up to 40 bushes per acre as compared to conventional planting in 30-inch rows, said Bob Klein, meeting organizer and cropping systems specialist at UNL's West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte.
"Under good rainfall conditions, usually the skip-row yields equal the conventional yields. However, in precipitation-limited, drier conditions, skip-row yields often are higher," Klein said.
Results from trials conducted across the state indicate that this system is best suited to central and western Nebraska in areas where water is more limited, he said.
The trials included three plant populations and three skip-row configurations. These configurations included : plant one, skip one; plant two, skip one; and plant two, skip two.
The program will address when skip rows should be used and what skips should be selected for various conditions. Klein also will discuss what it takes to make the skip row corn system successful.
Meeting dates, times, locations and local contact person are:
– Jan. 3, 9 a.m. MST, Grant, New Community Building, Doug Anderson, (308) 352-4340
– Jan. 3, 1 p.m. MST, Sidney, South Platte Natural Resources District, Karen DeBoer, (308) 235-3122
– Jan. 4, 10 a.m. CST, Cambridge, Community Building, Noel Muess, (308) 268-3105
– Jan. 4, 1:30 p.m. CST, Trenton, Community Building, Tom Dill, (308) 334-5666
For more information about any of these meetings, contact the host UNL Extension educator listed. Programs are free and two certified crop advisor credits in crop management have been applied for.
12/5/06-SAK Bob Klein
Agronomy Professor (308) 696-6705
 
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department:
Cooperative Extension
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