• 
• 
• 

The Seven Wonders of
High-Yield Corn Production

The need is urgent. A growing population needs more food and fuel. We have to produce it on less land with fewer resources. That means producing more bushels per acre.

Meet Dr. Fred Below, Professor of Plant Physiology with the University of Illinois. Through his innovative research, he has discovered the seven most important factors to achieve the highest possible corn yields – the elusive 300 bushels/acre.

This site is designed specifically to share the results of Dr. Below’s research.

• 
• 
• 

The Research Behind
the Seven Wonders

300-Bushel Corn Started It All

Fred Below knows that 300-bushel-per-acre corn is possible. While still a student over 25 years ago, he was part of a program that actually raised 300-bushel corn. Below has been trying to replicate the results ever since. While he has come close, he has learned a great deal about the specific factors that affect crop yield. The results are found in the Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World.

• 
• 
• 

1

Weather

A Blessing and A Curse

Uncontrollable, unpredictable, unmanageable – weather is the
number one factor affecting crop yield.

Weather can be a blessing or a curse, making life easy or decimating all
your hard work. On its own, weather contributes 70 bushels or more per
acre – 27% value of total yield!

• 
• 
• 

2

Nitrogen

The “N” Factor

Used correctly, nitrogen (N) accounts for almost the same value as weather. Combined with weather, N accounts for more than half the crop yield. Weather dictates when N can be applied, its availability and its usability by the crop.

N loss can occur immediately after application through volatilization. Denitrification and leaching can happen once the nitrogen is incorporated. To control nitrogen loss, Dr. Below stabilized his N with AGROTAIN^® technology, including SuperU^®, in the high tech package. The grower standard package used non-treated UAN.

In addition to nitrogen, it’s essential to have adequate soil fertility which is why Dr. Below used MicroEssentials^® SZ^™ from the Mosaic Company in the high tech package. The grower standard practice included no P or K.

AGROTAIN^® is a registered trademark of, and these branded products are manufactured and sold by Koch Agronomic Services, LLC under an exclusive license from The Mosaic Company. MicroEssentials^® is a registered trademark of The Mosaic Company.

• 
• 
• 

3

Hybrid Selection

Unlock Plant Potential

Choosing the right hybrid is one of the most important decisions a farmer makes each year. Dr. Below used triple-stacked DKC61-19 seed from DEKALB^® in the high tech package. The grower standard practice included RR Hybrid DKC 61-22 with a soil insecticide at planting. Because of advances in biotechnology with triple stack genetics, there are significant differences in yields and traits in each hybrid. Insect protection traits allow plants to realize their full growth potential by taking up more water and mineral nutrients.

DEKALB^® is a registered trademark of DEKALB Genetics Corporation.

• 
• 
• 

4

Previous Crop

Rotate for Higher Yields

Continuous cropping of corn costs yield. Residue from the previous year’s corn crop will cost more each year corn is grown. But on fields where corn has been rotated with soybeans, corn has better vigor and produces higher yields.

• 
• 
• 

5

Plant Population

Maximize Your Area

Higher yields come from higher plant populations. Row arrangement is one way to
increase plant population. Using a twin row system with plants arranged in 7-1/2”
staggered rows eliminates plant-to-plant competition and provides a perfect place
for nutrient and water management.

• 
• 
• 

6

Tillage

Reduce Tillage, Save Soil

While farmers consider tillage a major factor in yield, it only ranks #6 in the value scale. But, it does play an important role in saving soil and retaining valuable moisture and nutrients.

• 
• 
• 

7

Growth Regulators

Protect and Thrive

Growth regulators include those compounds that have a positive impact on plant growth. Protect against foliar disease with a strobilurin fungicide and you’ll see greener leaves, healthier plants and improved yield performance. Dr. Below used Headline^® fungicide from BASF for disease protection. The grower standard practice includes no fungicide application.

Headline^® is a registered trademark of BASF.

• 
• 
• 

Is 300 Bushel Corn Possible?

If each of the seven wonders is optimized, farmers can routinely grow 260 bushel per acre corn. To reach the goal of 300 bushels per acre requires better prerequisites, soil fertility most importantly, combined with optimized packages of the seven yield wonders.