1990 was a good year for corn yields. Favorable weather and a new yellow corn hybrid have combined to produce over 13,000 pounds of corn per acre. Pioneer 3162 was the highest producer. Two other hybrids, a new entry from Northrup King (N8318) and a new entry from Germain's (GC 5247) produced yields greater than 12,000 pounds per acre and all of the entries yielded over 10,000 pounds per acre. The white corn trial in Elfrida also showed good production with three of the ten entries yielding over 9,000 pounds per acre. DeKalb 703W yielded highest with Conlee 113W and DeKalb 77W following closely.

1990 was a good year for corn yields, and 1991 was even better. The two new hybrids by Pioneer and Northrup King (Pioneer 3162 and NK N8318) were at the top of the list again, but yielding around 1000 pounds per acre more than last year. The Pioneer hybrid yielded over 14,000 pounds per acre and eight of the fourteen hybrids yielded over 13,000 pounds per acre.

Delaying the first irrigation is thought to encourage root growth and condition crops for stress later in the season. Our objective was to test this common practice using corn. Field studies were conducted in Tucson, Arizona in 1989 and 1990 in which the first irrigation was applied at the Z 4, or 8 -leaf stages, and then either irrigated or stressed at anthesis. Delaying the first irrigation either restricted or did not influence root growth. Water use during anthesis was increased if the first irrigation was delayed, especially at the 2 to 3-foot depth. Delaying the first irrigation delayed silking by approximately 3 days and decreased the rate of dry matter accumulation. Grain yield was decreased 20% and total plant yield was decreased 14% in 1990 where the first irrigation was delayed past the 2 -leaf stage and the crop was well- watered at anthesis. Timing of the first irrigation did not affect yield if irrigations were withheld at anthesis. Delaying the first irrigation does not appear to condition corn for moisture stress later in the season, and may substantially decrease yield in certain situations.

DeKalb 656 and a new DeKalb hybrid, DK X979, were the leading yellow hybrids with yields above 10,000 pounds of grain corn per acre. The white hybrids had lower yields with Garst 8101W being the top producer with a yield of almost 8700 pounds per acre. Lower yields are offset to some extent by increased value per pound so the white hybrids produces almost as much income per acre as the yellow hybrids.

Eight corn hybrids, including one white hybrid, were grown in the lower end of the Safford valley as a double crop following wheat. A tornado came through the valley flattening the field where the test was located. The crop recovered and was harvestable, but the resulting yields were undoubtedly lower than they would have been. Nevertheless, the top hybrid yielded nearly three tons and the production and crop value were about the same as a nearby field of double crop milo. It is felt that lack of corn harvesting and drying equipment in the area will likely slow the development of this crop in the area.

Seven grain sorghum hybrids were compared in replicated tests where full season hybrids were compared against each other and with mid full season hybrids. The full season hybrids yielded from 600 to greater than 1000 pounds per acre more than the mid full season hybrids. DeKalb 69 was the highest yielding hybrid with a yield of 8784 lbs/ac, but all three full season hybrids yielded greater than 4 tons per acre.

Asgrow RX947 was the leading yellow corn hybrid with a yield of 9255 pounds per acre and a net return (after drying) of $447.93 per acre. It was followed by Cargill 8127 (a new entry) and Pioneer 3162 (the top yielding hybrid from the Bonita area). Cargill 9402W lead the white corn hybrids with a yield of 8464 pounds per acre and a net yield of $484.97 per acre. It was followed by Garst 8101W (last years winner) and Pioneer 3281W It is noted that the income from white corn was higher than yellow corn with lower yields. This is due to an $0.85 per cwt premium used in the calculations.

Nine grain sorghum hybrids were compared in replicated tests in two locations in the Duncan - Virden valley. Four full season, four mid full season and one non - specified experimental hybrids were included in the trials. A new mid-full season hybrid, DeKalb 66, was the top yielding cultivar in the test with a yield of 9830 pounds per acre. It yielded about 700 pounds per acre more than the top yielding hybrid in the previous trial. The devastating effect of hail was seen as one of the tests was hailed on in mid season.

1994 was a poorer than average corn year, the summer was hot and dry and it was difficult to keep enough water under the crop. Pioneer 3162, the best yielding corn hybrid over a several year period, was the leading variety in this trial with a yield just under 12,000 pounds per acre. Two new hybrids from Pioneer and a hybrid from the HyPerformer Seed Company were just lower than Pioneer 3162.

Eight grain sorghum varieties were grown on two farms in the Gila Bend area of Arizona. Three additional varieties were only grown as entries on one farm or the other. No comparison of farm management techniques is attempted. Dekalb 51 was the highest yielding variety (5582 lb/Ac). Short, mid and full season varieties were included in the trial. The Short season varieties offer some advantages for farm management and rotation programs in the area.