Research has been conducted over several years in the High Plains of Western Nebraska to develop corn populations with adaptation to the region. Based on diallel analysis of parents several populations were developed with different primary selection criteria, but with a strong yield component in all cases. These populations have been evaluated throughout the region for several years now. Population average grain yields have ranged from 70 to 95% of check hybrids across these trials, with the best populations averaging more than 85% of the grain yield of the check hybrids across all locations. In high yield environments (10,000 kg/ha) this translates to a 1,500 kg/ha yield loss. However, in low yielding environments (3,000 kg/ha) the difference can be less than 450 kg/ha and may approach balancing reduced seed costs. These populations also have potential for use as population hybrids or in other forms to take advantage of heterosis while keeping seed costs low.