2022 IAG Crop Tour

That’s it for tonight. This is the IAG Crop Tour, signing off.

Our Fulton, MI soybean field was in 15" rows standing 48" tall with an estimated population of 170k per acre. Plant health was excellent with not a single insect bite on the foliage in sight. Pods were about 1/3rd full which is below the average of what we have seen on this trip but normal considering the location in southern Michigan. Pod counts were 45 and 43 on 18 and 23 nodes respectivly. Our yield guess is something in the 55 bpa range which is marginally above APH for the region.

Our final stop of the 2022 crop tour was in Fulton, MI. The 30" row field had 29, 29 and 30K population per row. Plant health was excellent standing soil that measured 8.5 on the moisture meter. Ears size anywhere from 12x46 to 18x36. Ears are just starting to show some dent. Not much tip back but that is likely due to the lower populations and the favorable growing conditon. Again, the ears showed signs of flexing to compensate for the low population. Yield guess of 205 bpa.

Our final stop of the 2022 crop tour was in Fulton, MI. The 30" row field had 29, 29 and 30K population per row. Plant health was excellent standing soil that measured 8.5 on the moisture meter. Ears size anywhere from 12x46 to 18x36. Ears are just starting to show some dent. Not much tip back but that is likely due to the lower populations and the favorable growing conditon. Again, the ears showed signs of flexing to compensate for the low population. Yield guess of 205 bpa.

In Gravelton, IN our bean field was in 15" rows and stood 40" tall. Heavily poded plants with 75 and 61 pods on 30 and 29 nodes respectively. Half the pods were half filled and the other half was just beginning to fill. Possibly a late rain encouraged the plants to put on more pods. With plenty of moisture to fill out these pods the yield will increase accordingly. Strong populations of an evenly spaced 140K, high pod counts and plenty of moisture have set this field up for a great finish. Estimated yield - 70 BPA.

As we enter the home stretch of this year's crop tour, in Gravelton, IN our 30" row corn field was weed and insect free with entirely green stalks. Populations were 27, 28 and 28K per row and ears that are just on the verge of denting. Ear sizes were consistent with almost 18 around average and 35 to 49 long. Ears were heavy to the touch and have enough moisture to finish the season strong. Estimated yield - 220 BPA.

Our bean field in Winamac, IN was in 15" rows standing 38-39" tall. Field had no signs of disease or insect pressure but was standing in very dry (1.25 on the meter), sandy soil. Pod counts were 35 and 29 on 22 and 19 nodes respectively. Pods were mostly flat and just starting to fill. This field needs a rain to finish what it has started. 210K population and an average pod count needing rain lead to an average yield. Estimated yield - 45 BPA.

In Winamac, IN our corn field was standing in sandy soil that measured 1.25 on the moisture meter. Considering this is a sandy dry land field we expected lower populations and this was the case. 29, 29 and 27K were the number of viable ears in each row and every ear was counted. All ears were at least 16 around and 27 to 40 long. Solid, heavy feeling ears that were almost fully dented. Soil moisture was the lowest measured yet at 1.25 on the scale. Stalks beginning to fire either from the dryness or the maturity of the plant. Either way this corn field is nearly finished. Estimated yield - 185 BPA.

Our bean field in Kankakee, IL was in 15" rows with an evenly spaced 120K estimated population. This spacing led to 51 and 50 pods on 16 and 18 nodes respectively. The 46" tall plants stood in soil measuring 9 on the moisture meter at a 12" depth. Pods were over half fillled and set for a strong finish. Estimated yield - 70 BPA.

In Kankakee, IL our 30"row corn field was weed and disease free. Again populations were on the light side at 30, 29 and 31K viable ears estimated. Ear sizes were also smaller than normal with 7 ears at 16 around and all ears between 24 and 33 long. Between the population and the ear sizes this field was less than impressive. Estimated yield - 175 BPA.

Our bean field in Lostant,I IL was in 30", stood 40" tall and was in excellent health. With a moisture reading of 8.5, this field should have no problem finishing even having pods that are not half filled. Evenly spaced 140K population and pod counts of 22 and 50 on 14 and 26 nodes respectively. An area of hail damage was observed from the aerial pics but not enough to hinder yield . Estimated yield - 72 BPA.

In Lostant, IL we found our next corn field. It was in 30" rows and starting to yellow at the bottom half of the plant. Ears were mostly dented and felt heavy to the touch having very little tipback. Sizes ranged from 14x40 to 18x37 with most in the 18x35 range. Populations of 35, 32 and 32 in the rows sampled with the two 32K pop rows having two blank stalks each perfectly spaced within the row. If not for the blank stalks this field would be superb. Estimated yield - 240 BPA.

In Rochele, IL our bean field was in 30" rows and had an evenly spaced stand down the row. 41 and 62 pods on 18 and 27 nodes respectively with pods being more than half filled. Decent pod counts and nodes on the plants with clusters of 5-6 pods were noted. At only 120K popultion the plants are compensating when growing conditions warrant. Excellent plant health and weed control lend to this fields potential. Estimated yield - 75 BPA.

The first stop on day 4 of this year's crop tour was in Rochele, IL. It was in 30" rows and in excellent health. Measuring 9 on the soil moisture meter this crop was in great shape for the rest of the growing season. Ears ranged from 16x27 to 20x27 with the longest ear being 16x37. All ears seemed to be on the short side but were close to an average of 18 around. With slightly longer tipback on each ear we wonder if there was heat stress at the end of pollination. This would explain the shorter than normal ears. Whatever the reason the potential of this field has been effected. Estimated yield. - 205 BPA.

This is the IAG Crop Tour signing off.

The Edgerton, WI bean field was adjacent to the corn field we sampled and also experienced the same hail storm. Tattered leaves was the only evidence from the golf ball size hail stones. Standing 41" tall at 140K population the sample plants had 25 and 59 pods on 12 and 22 nodes. Pods were over half full and a few four bean pods were noticed at the top. These plants were happy the last few weeks even after the hail damage. Estimated yield - 70 BPA.

Edgerton, WI was our final stop for day three and the corn field that we choose had evidence of hail damage. After speaking with the farmer of this field he told us that this occurred three weeks ago just after pollination. He incouraged us to run a yield check so we obliged. Populations were 33, 29 and 31K. Number of rows around were mostly 18 with a few 16 and a 12 for good measure. Length of the ears stood out. None under 33 long with most 39 to 45 long. Even after the hail damage this is a solid field. Soil moisture at 10" depth measured a 9/10 and ears are just beginning to dent, this is close to finished. Estimated yield - 233 BPA.