It seems like weather extremes from cold to hot and wet to dry or vice versa is becoming the normal weather pattern for the cornbelt and 2011 was no exception. Several different environments occurred across western Iowa this season from a cool start to a wet June, several different wind events and concluding with record heat and low rainfall. These factors contributed to variable yield results across western Iowa but most producers have been pleasantly surprised at the final numbers. Many farmers would have sold the farm in August for 135 to 150 bushel per acre because of the record heat. As harvest is beginning to conclude, producers are reporting field averages from 140 to 220 bushel per acre depending on the soil type. I would estimate that most of the fields are averaging in the 160 to 180 bushel per acre range. These yields did not come without sacrifice as stalk quality suffered as the fall progressed especially with the late 30 to 50 mile per hour winds that occurred in October. Late maturity hybrids were favored this year because of their heat tolerance and their ability to pollinate under the extremes that were encountered this year. The early hybrids did well in yield performance but they were overshadowed by the late maturity hybrids. One factor to keep in mind as we plan for 2012 is that it has the potential to be completely different environmentally than 2011 and we may see the early hybrids outperform the later hybrids. This is the reason why we recommend a hybrid package to compensate for these variables.
The market looks like it is going to support more corn acres this next growing season and this will mean that there will be more corn on corn acres. Producers need to select hybrids that will perform in this crop rotation paying attention to the root and disease scores. We have seen an increase in Goss’s Wilt the past five years and selecting for tolerance to this pathogen is the best management option. We have been fortunate to date because we have only dealt with the foliar symptoms. If Goss’s Wilt progresses to the wilt phase then yields will be severely reduced. We noticed a lot of late Northern Corn Leaf Blight and Grey Leaf Spot and this should influence the corn on corn selection of hybrids next year as well or plan on the potential application of a fungicide if needed.
The RR2Y soybean varieties showed that they deliver the yield potential that they are advertised to do. Soybean yields in general were a surprise for most producers as they yielded more than we ever anticipated. The early frost in September did take more yield than I originally thought it would because it did kill the plant farther into the canopy because of the low temperatures for an extended period of time. Despite this, soybean yields ranged from 45 to 75 bushel per acre from the reports that I have received. Low disease and disease pressure contributed to the yield success.
No one knows what 2012 will bring but if we base it on the weather events since 2000, it looks like we can bet that it will be an extreme and producers need to plan accordingly.
