For over a decade Miles Opti-Crop has been looked upon as the leader in wheat advisory services. With the success of the intensive wheat management program, our growers expressed a desire for the same service in corn. In the design process of our intensive corn management program, we realized that existing scouting groups provided many beneficial services. However, they failed to combine them into an intensive, integrated package of corn management. Other groups may provide planning, planting, scouting, harvesting, or marketing advice, but Miles Opti-Crop has combined them into an intensive corn management package that generates maximum profit.

Opti-Crop consultants begin by providing valuable planning services. Before planting, they review fertility, place varieties, and determine the populations that will best fit each field situation. Consultants also help you plan tillage and herbicide programs. Additionally, they are aware of potential value added markets that might fit into your operation.

Grid soil sampling and variable rate lime spreading can be a valuable tool to increase uniformity in fields, thereby optimizing yield potential. Grids can be arranged by 2.5 acre regions, soil type, or yield management zones. Grid sampling and VRT lime spreading can not only increase corn yields, but can also benefit subsequent crops.

pH Contour map on 2.5 acre regions	As-applied map of variable rate lime application
	Your Opti-Crop consultant can prescribe variable rate planting maps for your corn crop. Fields can be arranged into management zones based on soil type, topography, or yield zones. Variable rate planting is a proven way to maximize yields and increase profits.

Planting is one of the most critical steps in producing a successful crop. Opti-Crop consultants can conduct a pre-season inspection of a planter and give advice on necessary improvements. Opti-Crop research has proven that certain planter attachments and modifications can improve yields from 5 to 20 bushels. One of the easiest ways to obtain picket fence stands is through seed meter calibrations with the Meter-Max system. Your consultant will be in the field with you during planting to be sure your planter is level and working properly, and to give advice on planter speed and seed placement.

Scouting is one of the most important aspects of the Opti-Crop program. Consultants scout fields in a timely fashion to help prevent pest infestations. A few of the insect pests your consultant can encounter in the field include seed corn maggots, grubs, cutworms, armyworms, European and Southwestern corn borers, common stalk borer, and corn earworm. They can also identify yield robbing diseases such as gray leaf spot, common and Southern rusts, corn leaf blights, and stalk rots. Finally, crop protectant programs are designed and evaluated based on weed pressures found during scouting. Crop protectant recommendations can be made to address difficult to control weeds such as sicklepod, burcucumber, vines, and other problem weeds.

Research has concluded that for every standard deviation (SD), above the intended 2 inch SD goal there is a 3-bushel per acre yield reduction. The bar chart to the left represents a "plant to plant" spacing distribution from 2 different growers. Grower A has worked with his local Opti-Crop consultant and utilized our planter inspection, maintenance, and planting recommendation system. As a result, this grower achieved a plant stand standard deviation of 2.56.

Because of poor planning and planter maintenance, Grower B achieved a standard deviation of 5.01. Because of the poor seed distribution, we calculated that Grower B lost an average of 9 bushels per acre by not utilizing our Opti-Crop services.

What are your standard deviations?

Uniform stands and clean fields are the product of Opti-Crop management. Plant stand uniformity is a very important aspect of achieving maximum yields. Your consultant can evaluate plant stands with statistical analysis tools such as standard deviation, and can then recommend improvements for next year’s crop.

Harvesting not only brings in this year’s crop, but sets the stage for next year’s. Your Opti-Crop consultant will help set your combine to minimize harvest loss and obtain even residue distribution. They also help set your yield monitor, harvest plots, and evaluate corn varieties.