crop yields

As the hot, dry, record-breaking summer of 2012 concludes, it is obvious that the corn crop is maturing more quickly that normal.  Many fields were off to a great early start, and the excessive heat, and heat unit accumulation, is driving the crop towards what is perhaps a very early harvest.   Already one can see fields that are mature.  Producers are talking about harvesting their earliest crop ever. Many are interested in estimating the yield of their fields, so as to aid in their harvest activities and also adjust their marketing plans.

One could say that the environment played a large role in the performance of crops in Ohio this year.Of course, we say that every year. 2010 brought challenges in terms of the amount and distribution of rainfall across the region. Temperatures also played a role, especially later in the season. In general, early (May and June) rainfall was plentiful to excessive in most areas, leading to saturated soil conditions that reduced emergence in some fields. Excessively wet soils limited early season root growth and resulted in shallow root systems. Nitrogen loss was evident in many fields.

This time last year we were looking at about 20% of the crop harvested, at best; top it off with most grain moistures still above 20%. This year we have less than 5% of the crop left to harvest and most combines are cleaned up and back in the shed. Most of the region experienced beautiful fall conditions up to this point with the exception of less then average precipitation. With most of the area drier than normal, quality winter wheat stands are hard to find. Lots of fall tillage and fertilizer applications are going at a good pace trying to beat the frost.

Despite up to 12 inches of rain falling in parts of MN and WI during the last week of September, harvest progressed very well this fall in the North. Following these heavy rains and hail; most areas had nearly three weeks of dry and warm conditions allowing many farmers to complete soybean harvest and go straight to corn without much delay. A growing season with above average temperatures and adequate rainfall set the stage for excellent yields, high test weights, and dry corn.

Good news for the end of harvest season is that LG Seeds has performance. Top end yield performance was awesome from several hybrids. LG2555VT3, LG2620VT3 and LG2641VT3 had yields in the 260-280 bushels per acre range in strip plots. Whole fields were in the 240-260 bushels per acre range. LG2620VT3 was 11-12 bushels per acre than competitors in hundreds of side by side comparisons. Yields were also remarkable in lower yield environments.

Corn: 2010 was another year for the record books and one that most people in the southern portion of Iowa hope they will never see again. Many producers had high hopes for this year because fields were planted early and they started off with great conditions. Rains began to fall in mid-May and they did not quit until late July making most field operations impossible to accomplish. Excessive rain and nitrogen loss lead to many fields that had yield levels that varied from 40 to 200 bushel per acre.

Early maturity, dry fall conditions and a corn crop that was often smaller than the past few years contributed to near record harvest progress. Field work is mostly completed with lots of work done to correct the compaction of the previous year’s wet harvest season. Drainage tile is short because of the demand and the good field conditions. Many a wet hole is no more. Soil temperatures are finally cool enough to apply anhydrous ammonia, but soil conditions are often too dry to seal it in.

Lots of variability across the Central & Northern part of Illinois this year.  I-80 & North was probably the garden spot. When they experienced rain this spring they were mainly getting 1- 2 inches instead of 4-5 inch rains further south. Also didn't have the extreme heat after pollination like we did in the eastern side of the state. Eastern half of Illinois was wet early then experienced extreme heat at the grain fill period.

Harvest is very close to finished in the Plains East Region. There are a few scattered corn fields left to harvest in Northeast Nebraska and South Dakota. Less than 5% left to go. Harvest went very smooth this fall with exceptionally dry corn and good yields overall.  Most areas were off a little compared to last year yet a few areas had equal yields to 2009.

What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time we were still in harvest, wondering if the corn will ever dry and if there was a chance of getting any field work done. Now some are looking for things to do.