The topic of Phantom Yield Loss has been given more consideration the past few growing seasons. Phantom yield loss is when corn dries down in the field and mass disappears along with the kernel moisture. The topic is elusive and one that can be hard to wrap your mind around, however there are a few key points to consider.

Purdue did a study on phantom yield loss in corn. Their data concluded that hybrids lose 0.6% to 1% of yield per point of dry down. For example, in 230-bushel corn, hybrids with lower test weight could lose up to 23 bushels of yield when drying down in the field from 28% to 18%. In that same Purdue study, they found that optimum harvest moisture was around 25%. But as you know, harvesting all corn at optimum moisture is nearly impossible. Your LG Seeds Agronomist is comfortable starting at 28% moisture. 

Not all hybrids are the same when it comes to losing yield in the field. In 2020 LG Seeds Agronomist Robby Meeker, CCA conducted a study and planted a plot with a full planter pass on one hybrid, then at harvest time they harvested half the planter at >20% moisture and then came back to harvest the other half around 15% moisture. Heavier test weight hybrids showed similar results in that study as they have seen in the past. Almost always, the bigger yield losers are hybrids that are genetically lower test weight products. They saw hybrids like LG62C35 and LG5643 lose 15 and 16 bushels while drying down from 23% to 15% moisture. Heavier test weight hybrids like LG64C30 and LG5650 only lost 7 and 8 bushels. Both hybrids are leading test weight hybrids.

So it's safe to say that phantom yield loss isn't just a concept, but something that can be seen in the fields. It's important to understand how hybrids dry down, and prioritize hybrids at harvest that lose the most yield. LG Seeds hybrids like LG59C66, LG60C33, LG62C35 and LG5643 have the best yield when harvested above 20% moisture. Hybrids that don’t lose as much yield in their dry down process are LG64C30, LG5618, LG5650 and LG66C44. Be sure to reach out to your local LG Seeds Agronomist if you're interested in learning more about phantom yield loss.