Rational choice of sowing material
Every year, Ukrainian farmers face another choice of the most marginal crop to grow. This determines the success of the farm for the next year. A prudent farmer takes into account such factors as the possibility of selling the crop, the cost of growing it, soil and climatic conditions, possible weather stresses and other factors that will affect profitability. Another important factor in the successful completion of the production cycle is the sale of finished products at a favorable price, which is not always possible due to its volatility. A reasonable reduction in the cost of crop production is becoming more important than ever.
A significant share of the costs is formed by the cost of seed, which, depending on the hybrid, is 5-20%. The lion's share of the seed market in Ukraine is dominated by international companies and global brands. It is the brand, not the seeds, that most farms usually overpay for when purchasing seed. And only the smartest ones analyze the yield and productivity of hybrids from different manufacturers, choosing the best one for an affordable price. This way, in the spring, they accumulate additional funds that can be invested in fertilizers and protective equipment.
So which crop will ensure the financial stability of the farm and how to choose the best hybrid for your farm?
Corn was chosen as the “queen of the fields” for a reason. This crop will not let you down: it is well stored, it can always be sold, and the main thing is to calculate the investment in its cultivation in such a way as to make a profit even on a low agricultural background. However, this is where the art of the agronomist and the art of the farm manager begins, as they have to choose hybrids and technology in such a way that they can not only get a high yield but also make money on it.
When choosing a seed, it is worth paying attention to corn hybrids developed by domestic scientists, and the main reason is the combination of moderate seed price and high productivity of hybrids.
I would like to cite the successful experience of growing the corn hybrid VN 63, which was originally developed by the All-Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Breeding. The hybrid was included in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine in 2015, and after 3 years of cultivation in commercial crops, it has taken the top place in terms of requests for the purchase of seed.
VN 63 is a mid-early simple corn hybrid with FAO 280 for grain and silage use
When creating this hybrid, the parental forms were stable lines with high combinational ability, which provided high yields in different soil and climatic zones of cultivation. VN-63 shows high and stable yields every year, the plants have a strong stem, high resistance to lodging, and increased tolerance to dry conditions, which ensures its stability. The results of testing and cultivation in commercial crops confirm that this hybrid is suitable for sowing in all zones with different technologies (classic, minimal, zero), and responds well to high doses of fertilizers. This is evidenced by the increase in the sown area of the VN 63 hybrid and high yields in different regions of Ukraine. For example, compared to 2016, in 2017 the sown area increased by 20%, and in 2018 by another 30%.
The average yield of the hybrid in Ukraine over the years of cultivation is 9.8 t/ha, and its price is twice as attractive as foreign-made hybrids with similar performance. Grain moisture content at the time of harvest is in the range of 14-18%. Under favorable growing conditions and with the necessary nutrition, the VN 63 hybrid can provide a yield of 15 t/ha.
As of today, there are already the first data on the yield of corn hybrid VN 63 in commercial crops in 2018. For example: Tarutino district, Odesa region, 7.9 t/ha, Vinnytsia region, Haisyn district, 11 t/ha, Dnipropetrovs'k region, Magdalynivskyi district, 7 t/ha, Chernihiv region, Pryluky district, 9 t/ha, Poltava region, Lubny district, Lytviaky village, 10.2 t/ha.
Under unfavorable, dry conditions in 2017, hybrid VN 63 confidently showed good results: Cherkasy region, Zolotonosha district, Hladkivshchyna village - 6.86 t/ha and Nova Dmytrivka village - 10 t/ha; Chernihiv region, Borznyansky district - 10.2 t/ha; Vinnytsia region. Kryzhopil district - 11.2 t/ha; Poltava region, Myrhorod district - 7 t/ha.
It is also worth noting that most farmers learned about the hybrid not through a loud advertising campaign, but from their friends who were satisfied with the choice of seed.
The All-Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Plant Breeding is a leader among domestic producers of high-quality seed and the creation of competitive high-performance hybrids and varieties of key crops. The company's scientific achievements include more than 50 inventions in breeding technology related to methods of creating source material, parental components, and obtaining hybrid seeds of heterotic crops, including corn, sunflower, and rapeseed.
As of today, the All-Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Plant Breeding has already registered 11 of its own corn hybrids for different growing regions. These are the well-known and favorite early-ripening hybrids Amarok, Gran 220 (FAO up to 230) with a yield potential of more than 10 t/ha. “Golden mean” corn hybrids: Gran 310, Gran 5, VN 63, Gran 6 (FAO 250 - 300) with yields up to 13-14 t/ha. And late-ripening corn hybrids VN 6763, Tesla, Gran 1, Amarok 290, Amarok 300 (FAO 320-370) with a yield potential of more than 15 t/ha.
Corn hybrids of the All-Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Breeding are being improved on the following basis:
- Yield and rate of moisture release. Particular attention is paid to creating hybrids that combine high yields with the ability to quickly reduce grain moisture at maturity.
- Yield stability. Preliminary tests in different soil and climatic conditions and on different nutritional backgrounds make it possible to identify the most stable and environmentally friendly hybrids for mass production This makes it possible to guarantee a stable profit for the producer.
- Resistance to major diseases and stresses. Corn hybrids of VNIS selection have genetic resistance to common corn diseases in Ukraine, namely: helminthosporiosis, fusarium, blister smut, etc.
- Drought tolerance. When developing hybrids, VNIS scientists pay special attention to the hybrids' compliance with climate change. Today, tests are conducted in different environmental locations, which allows us to assess the reaction of new hybrids to the negative effects of high temperatures and extreme drought conditions.
Summarizing all of the above, it should be noted that growing corn is currently economically viable, as it has almost twice the yield of other grains, consistently attractive prices and high demand.
Today, Ukraine is a regular and reliable supplier of corn to the global market and ranks third, with a 15% share, among exporting countries.
The long-term and fruitful work of breeders at the All-Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Breeding (VNIS) allows Ukrainian farmers to earn stable profits while reducing the cost of corn hybrid seeds from a truly Ukrainian quality producer.
Please note!
All seeds of VNIS corn and sunflower hybrids are packed in branded bags made of unique kraft paper, which features vertical embossed stripes along the entire length of the bag. Each bag has a state-standard numbered label, which is combined with an information label and equipped with an additional security system - a hologram with the VNIS logo. Any other packaging indicates that the seeds are falsified. To order seeds produced by the All-Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Breeding, please contact our representative offices and official distributors, see the contacts tab for more details.
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