Evaluation of Corn Varieties for Certified Organic

Organic farming has increased to a $4.2 billion industry in the U.S. and continues to expand approximately 20% annually. In Iowa alone, organic acreage for all crops has increased from 13,000 in 1995 to 120,000 in 1998. Organic corn production in 1997 was reported at 9,920 acres. International demand for organic products, particularly from the Japanese and European markets, is also on the rise. Farmers interested in transitioning some or all of their land into organic production require information on the best management practices for these systems. Once the transition is complete, comparable yields to conventional systems can be obtained. In addition, organic products garner a 20-300% premium price in the marketplace, with organic corn, for example, averaging a 200% premium price over conventional corn in 1998. Soil health, maintained through crop rotations, organic matter additions (manure/compost), and cover crops, has been the basis of successful organic farming. In the first year trials growing corn under organic conditions, we examined the performance of four varieties, using a locally produced, inexpensive, renewable resource (hog manure) for fertilization, and mechanical methods for weed control (as required for certified organic production).