Preceon™ Smart Corn System Management

December 28, 2023

The Preceon™ Smart Corn System* featuring short stature corn products produced by Bayer Crop Science will be the newest technology to generate a lot of talk among customers and growers. Short stature corn offers several benefits to corn producers across the world including better field access, and improved standability, particularly during high wind events. However, being different than traditional corn products, management may require additional approaches.

  • Planting Rates: One strategy is increased planting rates to help drive yield potential. Due to a shorter base and girthier stalk, there is less risk for greensnap in Preceon™ corn products. With this reduced risk of snapping, planting rates can be increased to densities higher than what growers may be accustomed to with tall corn products.
  • Fertility: Preceon™ corn may require elevated levels of fertility due to the higher planting densities. With more plants per acre, more kernels to fill can be expected which requires more nutrient uptake. Thus, our recommendation to farmers is to keep the soil well fed and place Preceon™ corn products on higher fertility ground to help maximize the yield potential of this system. If needed, short statured corn offers better field accessibility for in-crop nutrient applications and a prolonged period for sidedressing nitrogen. This can enable more efficient placement of nutrients to support the crop’s yield potential.
  • Accessibility: Since traditional corn can grow between 9 to 12 feet tall, accessibility for ground rig applications of fungicides and other agronomic products can be limited. Preceon™ corn grows up to 7 feet tall which allows for much better access by ground rigs (Figure 1). The reduced height allows for multiple applications of fungicide, insecticide, or fertilizer via ground rig, providing additional flexibility for the farmer. Additionally, applications may be made with equipment farmers already own which can help alleviate time constraints that are typically witnessed each growing season.


Height difference in Preceon™ corn vs. traditional corn.
Figure 1. Height difference in Preceon™ corn vs. traditional corn.

*The Preceon™ Smart Corn System, including short stature corn developed through traditional breeding, is expected to be available, subject to final commercialization decisions, for planting in the 2024 growing season.


Mitchell Greve
Channel Agronomist


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Legal Statements
Subject to final commercialization decisions, availability of the Preceon™ Smart Corn System is expected for the 2024 growing season. Bayer is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Bayer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Bayer’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS.

The Preceon™ Smart Corn System, including short stature corn developed through traditional breeding, is expected to be available, subject to final commercialization decisions, for planting in the 2024 growing season.

Performance may vary, from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and environmental conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on their growing environment.

The recommendations in this material are based upon trial observations and feedback received from a limited number of growers and growing environments. These recommendations should be considered as one reference point and should not be substituted for the professional opinion of agronomists, entomologists or other relevant experts evaluating specific conditions.

Channel® and the Channel logo™ is a trademark of Channel Bio, LLC. Preceon™ is a trademark of Bayer Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2023 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.