ARS | Publication request: High Moisture Corn Evaluated for Northern Maine

Submitted to: Laboratory Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: December 5, 2007
Publication Date: December 10, 2007
Citation: Griffin, T.S. 2007. High Moisture Corn Evaluated for Northern Maine. Laboratory Publication. CD-ROM

Technical Abstract: Profitable rotation crops that can grow in cool, northern Maine climates are needed to sustain the diversity of potato systems. A field experiment was conducted to determine whether three high moisture corn hybrids were suitable for harvest as a short season rotation crop. Yield and grain moisture measurements were obtained on three corn hybrids that were planted in 1 acre blocks at Mars Hill and Ft. Fairfield, ME and at a smaller USDA-ARS Experimental Site in Presque Isle, ME on a Caribou gravelly loam soil with a history of potato production. Grain yield averaged 4.9 tons/acre at Mars Hill and 4.2 tons/acre at Ft. Fairfield at field moisture content. This was equivalent to 2.5 tons dry matter/acre. Moisture content ranged from 32-44%. These results indicate that even with early June planting and mid-October harvest, high moisture shell corn and ear corn are feasible in the cool, climate of northern Maine.