The annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour, which will run Aug.16-19, provides insights into potential corn and soybean yields in seven Midwestern states.
On Aug. 17, scouts will sample fields in Indiana. What will they find in the Hoosier State?
In 2020, the statewide corn yield average for Indiana was 187.7 bu. per acre, which was 6 bu. ahead of the three-year average. The average soybean yield in the state was also ahead of average, reading 58 bu. per acre.
This year should also feature strong yields, especially in corn, says Dan Quinn, Purdue University Extension corn specialist and assistant professor of agronomy.
“The majority of the corn just looks really good,” he says. “A lot of it is still really green, we’ve had good moisture for pollination and strong conditions for grain fill.”
The beginning of the growing season was dry, Quinn says, which helped with timely planting. Then the weather shifted to steady-to-excessive precipitation. As of early August, none of the state is experiencing any drought concerns, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“We had some pockets of the state with flooding issues, more so in soybeans than corn,” he says.
As of Aug. 1, USDA estimate 76% of the Indiana corn crop is in good-to-excellent condition. For soybeans, 72% of the state’s crop is rated good or excellent.
“Looking at the trends in corn crop ratings, we could have record-breaking yields or at least above trendline,” Quinn says. “We’ve seen a lot more troubled soybeans than corn, but a lot of soybeans have come around in the last few weeks and have grown out of yellowing.”
Because of the humidity and rainfall, Quinn says Indiana crops are suffering from some diseases. In northern Indiana, they have heard several reports of tar spot, while farmers in the southern part of the state are seeing southern rust and grey leaf spot.
To finish out the corn and soybean crops, Quinn hopes the recent cooler temperatures stick around to extend grain fill.
“A little moisture in the soil in the next few weeks would really help maximize this grain fill period, too,” he says. “We have had a lot of cloudy weather and the wildfires have reduced solar radiation. We will be curious to see if that impacts yield.”
Join one of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour events!
In 2021, Pro Farmer Crop Tour gives you the opportunity to watch online from wherever you are or select your tour stop in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio or South Dakota.
Register and attend nightly meetings in person or watch the nightly broadcast live at 7 p.m. Central each night where you’ll receive daily results, scouting observations and historical comparison data from our tour leaders.
Pricing
- Online Nightly Broadcast – Free
- Attend In-Person Tour nightly meeting - $40 per person (includes 2 drink tickets and dinner)
