2025 OHIO CORN PERFORMANCE TEST

R.J. Minyo, M.A. Lowe and O. Ortez, Department of Horticulture & Crop Science
College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CFAES)
Ohio State University Extension/Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center

The purpose of the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) is to evaluate corn hybrids for grain yield and other important agronomic characteristics. Results of the test can assist farmers in selecting hybrids best suited to their farming operations and production environments as well as complement recommendations made by seed companies and breeding programs. Corn hybrids differ considerably in yield potential, standability, maturity, and other agronomic characteristics that affect profitable crop production. Hybrid selection should be based on proven performance from multiple test locations and years. The presentation of results in this report does not imply endorsement of any hybrid by The Ohio State University.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Annually, seed companies marketing corn hybrids in Ohio are invited to enter hybrids in the test. An entry fee per hybrid is charged to cover operational expenses of the program. In 2025, companies were permitted to enter an unlimited number of hybrids. Ten sites were available for hybrid evaluation covering three regions of Ohio (Southwestern/West Central/Central; Northwestern; North Central/Northeastern). Seed companies were required to enter each hybrid at all the sites within a testing region. Each hybrid entry was evaluated using three replications per site in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Hybrids were planted either in an early or full season maturity trial based on relative maturity information provided by companies. In the Southwestern/West Central/Central region, the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the early maturity trial was 111 days or earlier; the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the full season trial was 112 days or later. In the Northwestern and North Central/Northeastern regions, the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the early maturity trial was 108 days or earlier; the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the full season trial was 109 days or later. Hybrids were planted with an Almaco Seed Pro 360 plot planter with SkyTrip GPS. Each plot consisted of four 30-inch rows approximately 25 feet long. Force 6.5 soil insecticide was applied in a T-band to all plots at planting. Seed companies selected a final stand and percent overplant for each hybrid entered in the test. Fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, and foliar fungicides were applied according to recommended cultural practices for obtaining optimum grain yields as needed at each location. Details concerning the establishment and management of each 2025 test are listed in footnotes below the tables for each location.

Soil Test reported as Melich3 ppm / Fertilizer N, P, K & S reported as lbs./acre.

MEASUREMENTS AND RECORDS

YIELD. The center two rows of each plot were harvested with an Almaco R1 Rotary research combine equipped with the HarvestMaster H2 Classic GrainGage and Mirus software package. Yields were reported as bushels of grain per acre (Bu/A) at 15.5 percent moisture.

MOISTURE (Harv Mst). A grain moisture determination was made from each plot with an electrical conductance moisture meter. Grain moisture is reported as percent grain moisture.

LODGING (Stk Ldg). The number of broken stalks in each plot was determined prior to harvest. Only those plants with a stalk broken below the ear were considered stalk lodged. Stalk lodging is reported as a percentage of final plant stand.

FINAL STAND (Final Std). Seed companies selected a desired planting rate for each hybrid entered. Differences between the planting rate and the final stand may be attributed to seed quality and/or environmental conditions present. Populations are reported in hundreds per acre (100/A).

EMERGENCE (Emg). A plant count was made on each test plot after plant emergence. The emergence percentage was computed based on the number of plants and the number of seeds planted and reported as the percentage of seeds planted.

TEST WEIGHT (TW). Test weights were recorded in pounds per bushel on grain samples at field moisture. The results are a summary (average) of all sites in each region.

LSD 0.10 - Least Significant Differences at probability level 0.10 (LSD 0.10) are reported for yield and other agronomic characteristics. Differences between hybrids are significant only if they are equal to or greater than the LSD value. If a given hybrid out yields another hybrid by as much or more than the LSD value, then we are 90% confident (i.e., the odds are 10:1) that the yield difference is real, with only a 10% probability that the difference is due to chance variation (such as soil variation, etc.). For example, if Hybrid X is 19 Bu/A higher in yield than Hybrid Y, then this difference is statistically significant if the LSD is 19 Bu/A or less. If the LSD is 20 Bu/A or greater, then we are less confident that Hybrid X is higher yielding than Hybrid Y under conditions of the test. If ‘NS’ is indicated for a characteristic, then the differences among hybrid entries are not significant at the 10% probability level.  

2025 GROWING CONDITIONS

The 2025 Ohio growing season will be remembered for another year of extreme variability. The growing season started with above average temperatures in early April (+1.7 degrees) followed by below average temperatures (-3.6 degrees) in May. Persistent rain events with above average precipitation in April and May limited suitable days for field work, especially in the Northern region of the state. By May 5, 22% of corn was planted in Ohio according to USDA reports. By May 26, 54% of Ohio’s corn acres were planted and reported planted acres reached 89% by June 9 (5% behind the 5-year average). Temperatures and precipitation were above average in June and July at all test sites with Hoytville and Wooster being the exception, which received below average precipitation in July. According to the US Drought Monitor, in Mid-August, 25% of the state was under abnormally dry conditions primarily in the northwest and east central part of the state. By September 16, 95% of the state was under moderate drought with 16% rated as severe drought. Scattered showers brought some relief for the southern areas of the state in September, but most of the main grain crop region remained dry through mid-October. The yield impact of the dry conditions was largely dependent on location, planting date and timely scattered rain events.

Rainfall during the growing season was variable across our test sites, ranging from 20.0 inches (9.0” below average) at Van Wert in the Northwest region to 35.5 inches (8.9” above average) at Hebron in the Southwestern / Central Region. Averaged across the 9 Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) test sites published, total precipitation was normal when compared to the ten-year average. Heat-unit accumulation was generally greater at OCPT sites in the Southwestern/West Central/Central and Northwestern regions (with heat-unit accumulation ranging from 3,150 to 3,459 GDDs) than sites in the North Central/Northeastern region (3,023 and 3,189 GDDs). Overall, the heat-unit accumulation was 188 GDD’s lower in 2025 when compared to 2024.

Foliar diseases and insect pests were generally not a major yield limiting factor in 2025. Gray Leaf Spot (GLS) and Northern Corn Leaf Blight (NCLB) were present at nearly all sites in mid-July. Eight of the ten test sites had fungicide applied between tasseling/silking (VT/R1) and brown silk (R2). Additionally, Tar Spot was observed late in the season (R4 and R5 stages) at all test locations, except Hebron and Van Wert. When Tar Spot appears late in the season, less yield impact is expected. Normal temperatures returned in late September. However, with limited soil moisture, the corn crop was unable to add the late season starch that increases test weight and helps to achieve the top end yields we have seen in past years. The extended dry periods also delayed crop maturation and dry down in the full season hybrids until late-October. Field conditions were suitable for harvest in most of October and early November.

RESULTS

Results of the 2025 testing program are presented in Tables 1 to 10. Yields and other agronomic performance characteristics are averaged across the individual test sites and shown under the SUMMARY heading for each region in Tables 1 through 8. A combined regional summary of hybrid performance is presented in Table 9. The brand, seed source, hybrid number, and table location for hybrids tested in 2025 are summarized in Table 10. Hybrids are listed in alphabetical order by brand. Additionally, the technology traits (e.g., herbicide and insect resistant events) and seed treatments (e.g., insecticide and fungicide) associated with each hybrid entry are indicated in Table 11 (information provided by seed companies).

Yields varied across the state depending on location, planting dates, rainfall distribution (timing, total precipitation received), and disease pressure. Despite fluctuating temperatures and variable precipitation during grain fill, OCPT yields exceeded expectations and 2024 averages. Averaged across hybrid entries in the early and full season tests, yields were 269 Bu/A in the Southwestern/West Central/Central region, 232 Bu/A in the Northwestern region, and 224 Bu/A in the North Central/Northeastern region. Yields at individual test sites, averaged across hybrid entries in the early and full season tests, ranged from 153 Bu/A at Hoytville to 301 Bu/A at Upper Sandusky.

Saturated soil conditions delayed planting until late-May in the Northwest region and early June in the Northeast region. The precipitation timing and totals were variable across the state throughout the growing season. Precipitation was below normal statewide in August, which limited top end yield potential in the Northwest and Northeast regions. Gibberella Ear Rot (GER) and other ear molds were observed in some hybrids at most locations. Stalk lodging was largely absent across locations except at the Covington and Van Wert locations where strong in line winds caused moderate-to-severe lodging in many, but not all hybrids.

Confidence in test results increases with the number of years and the number of locations in which each hybrid is tested. Table 9 presents combined performance data for hybrids tested at seven and nine locations in 2025. Tables 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 provide multiple year performance data as well. We recommend looking for consistency in a hybrid’s performance across a range of environmental conditions. Yield, standability, grain moisture, and other comparisons should be considered between hybrids of similar maturity to determine those best adapted to each location or region. Results of the corn performance trials for 2025 and previous years (2000 to 2023) are available in the archive tab. Results and hybrids can be sorted by yield, brand, and other variables.

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu. For an accessible format of this publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.

Acknowlegements

We thank our farmer cooperators for their contributions to the 2025 Ohio Corn Performance Test program. We are grateful for the assistance provided by Matt Lowe, OSU Farm Operations-Wooster, establishing the test plots, Joe Davlin, OSU-OARDC Western Agricultural Research Station, Matt Davis, OSU-OARDC Northwest Agricultural Research Station and Ken Scaife and Mike Sword, OSU-OARDC Wooster.

We thank Juliette Portisch and Gabe Preston, CFAES Marketing and Communications, for their assistance in preparing the 2025 test results for publication.