One farmer asked our agronomists how to get a yield estimate before harvest. Farm Journal Associate Field Agronomist Missy Bauer answers in episode 8 of Corn College TV.

·         Measure out a 1000th of an acre.

·         Count the ears.

·         Pull 3 to 5 ears randomly to do kernel counts.

Then, here is the formula:

(Avg # of ears) x (Avg. Rows around) x (Avg. kernels long)

90

“You have to decide where up to start and stop counting kernels,” Bauer says. “I usually start about two rows up and at the tip, I back off a couple of rows as well because they aren’t good complete rows around. “

Bauer cautions this formula isn’t 100% accurate.

“It doesn’t take into consideration kernel fill or depth, which could be 10 to 15% difference,” she says.

Learn more in Episode 8 of Corn College TV.

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