Interest in corn production is hitting fever-pitch on farms this year, fueled by the booming ethanol industry and corn prices pushing $4 per bushel.

If you're increasing your continuous corn acres this year, paying attention to details is the best way to improve your chances of success. "Corn following corn tends to respond more to management practices," in the words of University of Illinois Agronomist Emerson Nafziger.

While U of I research from the past decade shows that corn following corn yields about 8% less than corn following soybeans, researchers are starting to see less yield penalty than this, due in part to changes in pest pressure and the increased ability of newer hybrids to withstand the stresses that come with corn following corn.

At the same time, growing numbers of farmers are finding that they can make more money from corn following corn even if it does yield less than corn following soybeans.

But converting to continuous corn raises both the economic and production stakes. "Mistakes made in continuous corn are extremely exaggerated vs. mistakes made in a corn-soybean rotation," says AgriGold agronomist Kevin Gale.

Here are some points to consider when planting corn following corn in 2007.

Select fields for success. Choose fields with good drainage and high yield potential. Medium-textured soils with ample water holding capacity and a yield potential of 180 bushels or greater are best for corn–after-corn, says Gale. "Not all fields are suited for continuous corn. Corn-on-corn cannot tolerate stress as well as a corn/soybean rotation. The yield reduction for continuous corn vs. soybeans tends to be greater, the lower the yield potential of the field," he says.

It's all about residue. Managing residue is the number one challenge for continuous corn. The negative impact of previous crop residue is the main reason for yield drag, adds Gale, noting a 180-bushel corn crop produces about 10,000 pounds of crop residue. That's more than twice the residue of a soybean crop.

Use tillage to mix and chop residue in the top 6 inches of soil where the most microbial activity occurs. But keep in mind that "all tillage tools cause horizontal compaction if not used correctly," says Gale. "Root restriction is due to compaction or improper tillage."

Consider row cleaners, coulters or other residue-management devices on the planter to eliminate hairpinning of residue, move clods from the row and create the best environment in the seed zone. Raise the row cleaners to the point where they are at the soil line or slightly engaged. Row cleaners also give herbicide in the row area contact with the soil, says Gale.

Stay off wet soils. Most fields with corn following corn were tilled last fall. Working and planting those fields this spring will be a little different from planting into soybean stubble, points out Nafziger. "We think that roots of corn following corn typically find more barriers to growth than when corn follows soybean, and some of this might be related to working deep-tilled fields sooner than they should be."

Nafziger and Gale caution farmers to avoid working those fields when it's too wet. "Using the field cultivator in the spring when it's too wet will limit yield," says Gale.

Pick hybrids suited for corn on corn. "Most seed companies will suggest certain of their hybrids for corn following corn, but this set of hybrids tends to overlap with the set suggested for corn following soybean, and it tends to include the best hybrids offered by the company," says Nafziger. "Given that there tends to be more stress on corn following corn, choosing "defensive" hybrids for corn following corn might make sense," he adds.

Gale recommends analyzing hybrid characteristics, looking at different environments, stress tolerances, early vigor, standability and yield potential.

"Hybrids may yield well in a corn-soybean rotation and do miserable in corn on corn," he says. Review plot information from seed company trials, individual testing and university plots. "Look for consistency year in and year out. Emergence is a critical characteristic in continuous corn. It needs to be able to get through the residue."

Watch more closely for pests and disease problems. Pay attention to fungal diseases like gray leaf spot, when corn follows corn, advises Nafziger. Gale recommends changing hybrids in the same field from year to year to help reduce disease problems. If you are selecting the same genetic background, manage potential disease issues with foliar fungicides like Headline.

Apply more N early and frontload the system. Continuous corn requires more N early. Apply a minimum of 60 pounds N before or at planting, recommends Gale. In general, hybrids that are better for continuous corn tend to require more N early, and various forms of nitrogen.

Nafziger reminds farmers to give credit for unused nitrogen from last year. Take the difference between application rate in 2006 (include N from DAP or MAP applied in the fall of 2005) and the actual yield in 2006, then reducing the rate this year by half this difference. For example, if your 2006 crop received 200 pounds of N and yielded 100 bushels, then the credit this year would be half the difference, or 50 pounds of N.

Phosphorus is important for early seedling growth in continuous corn. Corn removes more phosphorus per acre from the soil than beans, notes Gale.

Strive for planting perfection. Establishing a good stand can be a major challenge when converting a field to continuous corn. Slow and inconsistent emergence is a common problem for seedlings trying to get through last year's corn residue. A single misstep can lead to a significant yield drop. A lot of problems can't be fixed after planting, including root balls or clumps of residue in the row that throw off seed placement, populations that are too high or too low, forgetting to turn on the insecticide or starter, or doubles or skips caused by a meter that's not calibrated correctly.