New bulletin on optimizing corn hybrid maturity selection for maximum yield and profit

Benjamin Agyei<agyeiben@msu.edu> and Maninder Singh<msingh@msu.edu>, Michigan State University, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences - May 13, 2026

Selecting the appropriate hybrid maturity based on location and planting date is necessary to maximize productivity.

For decorative purposes. — Corn plants at physiological maturity. Photo by Benjamin Agyei, MSU.

A lot of weather-related changes have occurred in Michigan in recent years. While some of these changes are negative and present production challenges, others are positive and create opportunities that growers can take advantage of.

One of the most important ways growers can take advantage of positive weather changes is by matching hybrid maturity to their location and planting dates. Carefully aligning hybrid maturity with the length of growing season can help maximize yield and kernel dry down, improve profitability, and optimize the timing of fall management practices.

Michigan State University Extension has developed a bulletin that comprehensively discusses the impact of corn hybrid maturity selection across locations and planting dates. This work, led by the MSU cropping systems agronomy team, is designed to help growers in Michigan and other northern regions optimize hybrid maturity selection to maximize not only yield but also profitability.

Go to Bulletin E3545: Optimizing Corn Hybrid Maturity Selection for Maximum Yield and Profit in Michigan and Northern Regions

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).