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Highlights of the 2010 Performed by Soy Capital Ag Services
1. Sample Size – 1600 ears from 160 locations; Samples taken on managed farms from every township in McLean County by seven Soy Capital Farm Managers.2. Estimated Average Yield - 182.8 bushels/acre; This projected yield is approximately 11 bushels per acre less then Soy Capital Ag Services’ average projected yield for the last three years and is similar to the 2003 and 2006 projections. Sample yields ranged from 115.2 bushels/acre to 240.9 bushels/acre. 24% of the locations returned a yield estimate over 200 bushels/acre compared to 45% in 2009. 29% of the locations returned a yield estimate below 160 bushels/acre compared to only 7% in 2009. Most of the samples used for this estimate were taken in early August. The ears in the sample set had fewer kernels per ear because of the hot July and higher plant population. The average kernels per row were 30.5 compared to 34 a year ago. Due to the summer heat, this corn crop is racing through the grain fill period. The summer heat along with a shortage of moisture in most areas of the county will result in poor grain fill and may cause final yields to fall below our projection. The west half of the county will likely yield more then the east half due to more rainfall and soil qualities with better water holding capacity. Rainfall now will provide limited benefit to this corn crop.3. Soy Capital Historical Statistics –
4. The 2010 McLean County Yield Story – Planting Date: Planting dates for the samples taken ranged from April 12th through May 4th with an average planting date of April 18th. This is the earliest average planting date in Soy Capital Ag Services thirteen year survey history. 65% of the sample set was planted prior to April 20th and is projected to yield 11 bushels more than the corn planted on or after April 20th. Dry weather in early April allowed most of the corn crop to be planted in good soil moisture conditions. The early planted corn will not suffer as much from the hot dry July and August weather and was able to take advantage of the longer days in late June and early July. As shown in the past and again with this year’s projection, early planted corn in good soil conditions will out yield later planted corn.2010 McLean County Yield Story (Continued)– Emergence: Planting rates continue to increase. Due to this increase, we found our highest recorded overall plant population of 32,560 plants per acre and harvestable ears of 31,250 ears per acre. The number of plants without a harvestable ear were slightly greater than in the past due to late emerging plants and diplodia ear rot. The later planted corn tended to have more plants without harvestable ears.Corn on Corn: Corn on corn is going to have a tough year. 32.5% of the 2010 samples pulled were corn on corn samples. Of this 32.5%, about 54% is continuous corn (3 years or more) and 46% is 2nd year corn. The average sample set yield of the 2nd year corn was 164 bushels/acre and the continuous corn was 176 bushels/acre. This compares to the corn on soybean stubble samples of 188 bushels/acre. This is not a surprise as many of the corn on corn fields across the county struggled this year. Most corn on corn fields had more soil compaction from wet conditions in 2009. The late 2009 harvest also prevented timely fall tillage to last year’s corn stalks limiting stalk breakdown. The increase in residue breakdown this spring reduced nitrogen available for the new seedlings. The southern part of the county also had excess rain in late May and early June limiting side dress nitrogen applications and leaching out available nitrogen. Corn on corn can still be a profitable practice with proper residue management and nitrogen application.Fungicide Application: Once again, we tracked those samples sprayed with a fungicide. 53% of our samples received a fungicide application. The corn on corn in the sample set had a higher percentage treated. 73% of the corn on corn samples received a fungicide treatment. The corn on corn treated samples accounted for 45% of the total treated samples. The fungicide treated samples are estimated to out yield the untreated samples by 8 bushels per acre. The reason for this advantage is unknown as the benefit from a fungicide application typically comes from heavier kernels and not from a larger kernel set. The corn leaf disease on the untreated corn didn’t explode like we expected due to the dryer July and August weather. Most of the corn stalks in both treated and untreated samples were in good condition when the samples were pulled.Traits: Herbicide Resistant Traits: Roundup Resistant Corn Liberty Resistant Corn Insect Resistant Traits: European Corn Borer Resistant Corn Rootworm Resistant Corn The past benefit of traited corn has encouraged producers to maximize their production of these hybrids. To our surprise, the sample set is not indicating an advantage to traited corn even with the dryer weather late season. The refuge hybrids in the sample set are expected to yield well. Planting the required refuge for insect resistance hybrids and alternating herbicide use is important to prevent resistance. 18% of the samples in the 2010 sample set are refuge hybrids containing no insect resistant traits. Biotechnology allowing corn breeders to produce corn hybrids resistant to insects and herbicides has brought improved tools to growers. Our sample set included traits from multiple sources including:2010 McLean County Yield Story (Continued)– 5. · 2010 corn production in Mclean Co will be more average compared to the past several years of high yields.
• The ears are shorter this year due to the hot July and higher plant populations.
• The hot dry weather during grain fill will reduce kernel size.
• Harvest will come early due to the early planting and hot summer.
• The early planted corn is expected to out yield the later planted corn.
• Planting rates continue to increase resulting in more harvestable ears
• Compaction and nitrogen deficiency in corn on corn fields will reduce corn on corn yields.
• Plant health is better than anticipated.
• Refuge hybrids continue to show good yield potential compare to the traited hybrids.
Conclusion: • 2010 corn production in Mclean Co will be more average compared to the past several years of high yields.
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