Variety performance review

DEKALB DKC Full-Season Corn in the Corn Belt Core.

  • Good
  • Bayer Crop Science (DEKALB)
  • 108–114 RM
  • GMO

Trait package: VT Double PRO, RIB Complete, Roundup Ready 2

Regional strengths

DEKALB hybrids are heavily tested in Corn Belt Core university trials — Iowa State, Illinois, Purdue, and Ohio State all run multiple DEKALB entries annually. Standability ratings have historically been a DEKALB strength and matter increasingly with later harvest windows.

Regional weaknesses

Tar spot resistance varies meaningfully by hybrid number within the DEKALB lineup — pull current year ratings from your dealer rather than assuming the brand-level package. Premium pricing on top-tier traits can erode profitability in lower-yield zones; match trait package to actual pest pressure rather than overspecifying.

Yield data

Trial-verified performance.

Average yield

bu/acre

Data quality

company reported

Iowa State Variety Trials, Illinois Corn Hybrid Performance Trials, Purdue Variety Trials, Ohio Corn Performance Test

Agronomic ratings

Drought tolerance

good

Standability

excellent

Emergence

good

Winter hardiness

na

Disease resistance

  • Gray leaf spot:good
  • Northern corn leaf blight:good
  • Tar spot:fair
  • Goss's wilt:good

Best for

  • high-pressure rootworm acres
  • fields with strong fertility
  • first-year corn after soybeans

Not recommended for

  • low-input dryland acres where premium traits are wasted

Best soil types

Drummer silty clay loam, Mollisol prairie loam

Seeding rate

33,000–36,000 seeds/acre on productive soils

Data quality & sources

Quality: company-reported · Last updated 2024.

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