Irrigation is the force behind strong 2012 yield estimates.
The difference between an irrigated corn field and non-irrigated corn field in Nebraska is as stark at night or day, or brown and green.
Jason Franck, Western Tour Consulting Agronomist for the 2012 Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour, says his route saw mostly irrigated fields in Nebraska on day two of the tour. "These look dramatically better than the fields in South Dakota and northern Nebraska."
This year, after 167 corn field samples, yield estimates came in at 131.79 bu./acre, down 14% from last year.
Franck did a side-by-side comparison of irrigated kernels versus non-irrigated kernels.
For soybeans, he says the irrigated fields look phenomenal. "The overall health is really good due to the irrigation and extra water."
To finish out both crops, Franck says the best thing would be for temperatures to cool off to slow the crops down a little. He also says rainfall would also benefit the crops.
He provides a from-the-field report:
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