Corn Singulation Study

Key Points

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate how improper seed singulation affects corn yield. Modified vSet® seed plates with plugged and extra holes were used to create skips and doubles. These “goof” plates created an average of 95% spacing accuracy vs. the control at 99.5%.
Accuracy matters: Six years of data reveals an average yield loss of -2.0 Bu/A for every singulation % below 99.5% (an average -$8.77/A loss).
Economic losses: 95% seed singulation resulted in an average economic loss of -$39.47/A over a 6-year period.

How does improper seed singulation affect corn yield?

We are all dreaming about seeing those perfect rows of corn come harvest time. However, when you are in the cab watching your singulation numbers drop, you know it’s going to cost you. The question is how much?

Over the past six years, this is the question we wanted to find the answer to! What are the consequences for falling outside the ideal singulation target of 99.5%? And what are the rewards for getting closer to that ideal target if you’ve been below it?

We did this by intentionally creating both skips and doubles on modified vSet seed plates. These “goof” plates created an average of 95% spacing accuracy in comparison to our control group at 99.5%.

What we discovered was that for each percentage of singulation lost, yield decreased by an average of -1.98 Bu/A and an economic loss of -$8.77/A. So when we look at 95% singulation, this led to an average economic loss of -$39.47/A over our six years of data.

If your numbers are starting to stray below the ideal 99.5% singulation, it’s time to find out why so you can avoid taking a loss come harvest time.