FOLEY, Minn. — The National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) released the crop yield estimates for various crops here this past week. I like to look at these statistics every year to give myself an idea of what the potential trends look like for yields in the area. NASS also has last years estimated yields for a variety of other crops including Barley and Wheat if there is interest in those crops. Considering typical planting dates for both corn and soybeans are not that far away, it seems appropriate to look back now before beginning to look forward to planting season.
The tables that are provided show estimated corn and soybean yields for the last 10 years in Stearns County. There are a variety of issues that can influence yields from year to year, with one of the biggest issues last year being weather. Rainfall late in the season delayed harvest across parts of Stearns, Benton and Morrison counties. In many of these areas, first frost was needed last fall to help solidify the ground so harvest equipment could get across fields. However, upon review of the available yield data this did not seem to hamper yields across Stearns, Benton and Morrison counties.
2018 estimated corn yields for Stearns County went up from 2017 to 184 bushels per acre. This was on par for Minnesota as the statewide estimate was 182 bushels per acre for 2018 which was down from the statewide average in 2017 at 194 bushels per acre. Estimated corn yield for central Minnesota in 2018 was 181.4 bushels per acre. The soybean yield estimate for the state of Minnesota in 2018 was 50.5 bushels per acre with Stearns County estimated at 52.4 bushels per acre and Central Minnesota’s average yield at 53 bushels per acre.
When looking at the yield data from the past 10 years, it is clear there is a lot of variation in yields from year to year for both crops. While weather is usually the most significant yield factor, the effect of best management practices cannot be excluded from this calculation. These practices include nutrient management, weed control, irrigation, improved drainage, tillage management, proper hybrid selection, among others that help get the most out of improved crop genetics. It is also important to remember that while higher yields usually mean greater returns; keep yield expectations realistic. With farm budgets being tight, consider what inputs your money is going towards and the probability of seeing a good return on investment.
All of the yield data can be found by doing an Internet search for “Minnesota Ag Statistics County Estimates” and looking for the link to the NASS website. For more information feel free to call the Benton County Extension Office at 320-968-5081 for information that is useful to you.
— Nathan Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension
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