Testing For Success: How the Right Hybrids Drive Your Max Yield System

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Welcome back to the EZ Ag Podcast, where innovative farming meets practical solutions. I’m your host Matt Long, and when it comes to yield, there’s no silver bullet—but there is a smarter way to select seed.

At Axis Seed – Red Barn, every hybrid we recommend has already passed the toughest test there is: the environment right here in western Kansas.

Through our local testing network, we evaluate dozens of hybrids each season, measuring how they handle drought, high-pH soils, low populations with ear flex, and yield consistency. Because we’re locally owned and independent, we’re not tied to one genetic or trait company. That independence lets us source from multiple industry leaders and find what truly performs the only place that matters to you - on your farm.

Today, I want to break down what we test for and more importantly, what it means for your farm, your yields, and your bottom line.

Let’s start with drought tolerance. We all know western Kansas weather can turn on a dime and in some cases, long periods of hot weather without rain can make or break a crop.

In our plots, we evaluate hybrids under full irrigation, limited irrigation and dryland stress, looking for how well they maintain ear flex, and kernel fill, and ultimately how much yield standability they have when conditions get tough.

This means when you plant a hybrid that’s proven to hold yield under stress, you’re not just protecting your acres, you’re protecting your ROI. You can make irrigation and fertility decisions with confidence, knowing your hybrid can handle what Mother Nature throws at it. That’s the foundation of a Max Yield System: control the variables you can, and be ready for the ones you can’t.

Next up is pH tolerance, one of the most underrated yield limiters in our area. High pH soils, often 7.8 to 8.3, can tie up nutrients and stunt growth.

Our local testing program identifies hybrids that stay green, healthy, and active in those tougher soils. You’ll see less yellowing, stronger root systems, and better nutrient uptake when conditions aren’t ideal.

Because of Axis Seed’s independent model, we can pull from multiple breeding programs, identifying the genetic backgrounds that can handle the variability to create more consistency.

This means you have fewer surprises across your farm, less variability in yield maps, and a more predictable return per acre, no matter what part of the field you’re in.

Pivoting just a little from how we test for stress tolerance, now let’s talk about how we test for ear flex and plant architecture to place each hybrid on the right field on your farm. 

Every field is different, and everyone's Max Yield System is uniquely developed for their farm. Some growers push high populations with aggressive fertility, while others depend on ear flex to make the most of limited moisture.

That’s why we test for ear flex and plant architecture. We want to know how a hybrid reacts when it’s crowded, how it responds to stress, and how it captures sunlight and nutrients.

An ear-flex hybrid can reward you in a good year when rains come just right. A more fixed-ear hybrid might excel under controlled irrigation or intensive fertility programs.

We also look at plant height, leaf angle, and root strength—all factors that impact standability and disease tolerance.

Which means: you can match the right hybrid to each field on your farm. Placing higher performing hybrids at higher populations where fertility supports it, and flexible hybrids where conditions fluctuate. That adaptability leads directly to higher efficiency, more consistent yields, and a smoother harvest across your farm.

Finally, we test for one thing every grower values most: yield consistency. In our plots, that means rating hybrids across soil types, planting dates, and weather patterns.

We’re not chasing the one-year wonder; we’re looking for repeat winners, the hybrids that keep performing when conditions aren’t perfect.

Because we pull from a diverse lineup of genetics and traits, we can build a portfolio that spreads risk and boosts reliability.

Which means when one hybrid encounters a stress that holds it back, another in your portfolio keeps the average up. That’s how we deliver yield stability across your farm year after year, no matter what the season brings.

When we combine these traits; drought tolerance, pH tolerance, ear flex, and yield consistency, we’re not just talking about numbers in a plot book. We’re building predictability into your farm plan.

The earlier you start identifying these hybrids and pairing them with your field data, fertility plan, and management goals, the better your results. That’s what the Max Yield System is all about, using local data and proven hybrids to remove guesswork and turn information into yield.

At Axis Seed – Red Barn, we don’t just test to find winners, we test to help you win. If you’re ready to identify the right hybrids for your soils and create a plan that maximizes every acre, reach out and let’s build your Max Yield System together.

Thanks for joining us today for this episode of the EZ Ag Podcast,

Until next time, remember, ag is Easy when you tune into the EZ Ag Podcast.

That’s all for today, I’m Matt Long, 

Grow Your Yield, Grow Your Legacy, Grow Strong with Axis Seed.