Do You Understand Net Effective Plant Stand and its Impact on Yield?

Definition:

Net Effective Plant Stand (NEPS) is a concept that, once understood by growers, will totally change their crop production lives. Without focusing on NEPS, growers will NEVER achieve maximum yields from the varieties they plant or the management systems they use to manage those varieties. NEPS is not only the cornerstone of the Maximum Profit SystemTM, but is also the top factor allowing growers to achieve maximum yields.

Net Effective Plant Stand

NEPS is a percentage of the plants in a row of corn that will produce a full ear at harvest. To determine that percentage, measure the number of feet it would take to make 1/1,000 th of an acre in your particular row width. For example, in 30” rows, 1/1,000th of an acre would be approximately 17’3”.

If the corn has not yet eared out, count the number of plants in 17’ 3” that are full, normal healthy plants. If only 24 of the 32 total plants living in that area are 100% normal and healthy, the NEPS percentage is only 75%. That is, of the 32,000 plants planted, only 24,000 will produce full ears at harvest. The other plants in that field will only detract from the top yield potential, just as a runt pig would detract from the overall production average of the herd. Later in the season, count the number of plants that are making full ears to check for accuracy.

Net Effective Plant Stand

Exceptional Seed Quality Includes Germination and Purity

Germination is the percentage of seeds that will produce normal plants.

Purity is the percentage of plants that are true hybrid. These plants, in turn, have the ability to produce

100% normal healthy plants.

For This Discussion, We Will Deal Only with Germination.

In Order to Have Optimum NEPS, a Grower Must Have Exceptional Seed Quality.

Seed Quality

Top-Quality Seed is NO Extra Cost to You

At a final population of 32,000 plants per acre and 192 bushel per acre yield goal, every 1,000 plants in the field must produce

six bushels of corn.

With this in mind, look at the impact resulting in lost yield and lost revenue as the percentage of normal, healthy seeds

drops. Every 1,000 plants has to produce MORE than six bushels or the yield goal will have to be lowered because

it cannot be achieved.

The Impact of Seed Quality on Profitability.

Seed Quality

The Combined Impact of Seed Quality and NEPS on Profitability.

AgVenture Agronomic Pipeline

Both Net Effective Plant Stand and germination can have a synergistic affect on yield or can severely limit yield. Without normal healthy seeds, optimum NEPS cannot be achieved.

Even if the percentage of normal healthy seedlings is optimum, desired yields cannot be achieved without the

proper management of those young plants.

The Combined Impact of Seed Quality and NEPS on Profitability.It takes a combination of exceptional seed quality and

superior management to achieve yield goals.

Take a look at the following chart illustrating the impact of low quality and average NEPS ratings on yield and profitability.

AgVenture Agronomic Pipeline

Multiply the number of living plants in each category by the average NEPS rating of 75%. Then assume the remaining

plants will produce, for example, an average of four bushels per 1,000 plants. The sum of those two calculations is the final

yield potential, versus the yield goal of 192 bu/a.

AgVenture Agronomic Pipeline

Look at the impact of seed quality and proper seed placement on final yield.

The Combined Impact of Seed Quality and NEPS on Profitability.