seed corn

[klspreeman]

Can field corn be used as seed corn? The corn was not run threw a drier. If it can will it yield and have the same traits as the purchased seed?

[hRex]

The quick answer is 'No' if you're expecting it to perform as well as the originally purchased seed. You'd be planting second-generation seed, while the seed you purchased was a first-generation hybrid. Haven't seen yield estimates for this type of planting for years, but I'd think you would be doing well to get 85 to 90% of the yield of first-generation material. This second-generation seedstock will also begin segregating, so will not be as uniform nor as consistent as the original seed.

[Stephenjd4850]

I have been told that Pioneer actually had a number that was like this....Second time around depends on the original hybrid....They could sell it cheaper cuz it yielded so well in the seed field.  But by now, I would think You would have to read that long agreement that You signed with Monsanto to make sure it would be okay.

[bradmore]

10 or 15 years ago I ran empty about 50 feet from the end of the last field.I didn't want to buy a whole bag for 5  pounds worth of seed so got a bucket full of corn out of the drying bin.It was the same variety that I was planting but was a couple days slower coming up and was a foot shorter for most of the summer.Could tell exactly where each box ran out of the new seed.Would guess it yielded about 2/3 to 3/4 what the rest of the field did.