Arcadia, Vic, farmer Dean Leslie with his record-setting P0937 corn crop. Photo: Pioneer

AN IRRIGATED corn crop grown at Arcadia in northern Victoria has set a new Australian yield record of 23.78 tonnes per hectare.

The result was achieved by Dean Leslie of Leslie Farms, with the independently verified entry confirming the crop delivered standout performance under local growing conditions.

The 36ha of Pioneer P0937 hydrid corn was grown under centre-pivot irrigation with harvest wrapping up on April 26.

P0937 is a mid-maturity hybrid, known for its wide adaptability across a range of growing regions, excellent early vigour and exceptional yield potential for its maturity.

Advanced Ag agronomist Tim Anderson said the entry reflected a strong all-round outcome from the paddock.

“The paddock average was 22.4t/ha, and the record-breaking yield was measured from a 1080m2 section of the crop,” Mr Anderson said.

“It’s an excellent result and highlights what can be achieved with the right combination of management and seasonal conditions.”

Grower Dean Leslie with agronomist Tim Anderson. Photo: Pioneer

The result surpasses the previous yield benchmark of 23.27t.ha set by Nathan Pate at Tocumwal in New South Wales in 2024, also with a crop of P0937.

Pioneer Seeds territory sales manager Tim Lovell said results like these demonstrate the upper yield potential possible in well-managed irrigated corn systems.

“Breaking yield records requires attention to detail across the whole program,” Mr Lovell said.

“This outcome is a strong example of what’s achievable when growers, advisers and inputs all align, in addition to strong genetics in hybrid corn.”

Aus corn production

The majority of Australia’s corn crop is grown across southern NSW, northern Victoria, and southern Queensland, with small volumes also produced in Western Australia’s Ord Valley region.

ABARES March Australian Crop Report forecasts national corn production at 361,000t from 49,000ha in 2025-26.

Production is expected to remain steady on 2024-25 levels despite a smaller planted area the previous year of 46,800ha.

NSW is forecast to produce about half the national corn crop at 180,000t from 20,000ha, followed by Queensland with 90,000t from 20,000ha, and Victoria with 63,000t from 6000ha.

ABARES forecasts WA’s Ord to produce 24,500t of corn from 2500ha in 2025-6.

Source: Pioneer Seeds, ABARES