How Much Corn Seed Should Be Used Per Acre?

Field corn is one of the most important agricultural products in the United States.

Consider Plant Population

A corn grower should consider the number of plants per acre, which is not the same thing as the number of seeds planted. A grower must allow for a certain percentage of seeds to be lost to failed germination or pests. Plant population per acre has increased since the 1990s, largely due to the development of hybrids that tolerate crowding much better than previous varieties, according to the Iowa State University Extension.

Consider Cost

Corn seed prices are on the increase (32 percent in 2010, according to a New York Times story). A corn grower must consider the cost of seed, and possibly the cost of extra fertilizer and pesticide use for increased production, and determine if the ultimate production justifies the cost.

Bottom Line

According to the Iowa State University Extension, a corn grower will achieve optimum yields with 28,000 to 32,000 plants per acre. Assuming an average row spacing of 30 inches, that translates to 34,000 to 38,000 seeds per acre.

References

• Iowa State University Extension; Corn Planting Guide
• New York Times: "Rapid Rise in Seed Prices Draws U.S. Scrutiny;" William Neuman; March, 2010