2025 IAG Crop Tour

Our soybean field in Hudson, MI was planted in 30 inch rows at a final population of only 80K. Plants have shaded the rows and the field is weed free. Plant health is excellent with no signs of disease or insect damage. Pod counts were 96 and70 on 47 and 32 nodes respectively. Again these soybeans are compensating for the lower population. Pods were 3/4 filled indicating early planting. Estimated yield - 55 bpa.

Our final stop this year was in Hudson, MI and it is a different story than the rest of the tour. Later planting, lower populations and less precipitation have put a lower ceiling on this crop. Stands were very consistant with perfect spacing down the row. The final population was 27K on all rows. Ear sizes ranged from 14x30 to 18x30. Field was clean of all pests, an indication of being well managed. Some areas of the field looked as if it had too much rain earlier with pockets of shorter, yellow corn. This field has had a tough time this year with dry conditions late and too much rain early affecting ear sizes. Estimated yield - 140 bpa.

Our soybean stop in Hudson, IN was in 20 inch rows and had a final stand estimate of 110K. Pod counts wer 27 and 40 on 18 and 24 nodes respectively.Pod fill was just beginning so this crop needs a few more rains to finish properly. Plants stood 30 and 32 inches tall and were in excellent health. We hate to go against the producer's historical August estimate of 49 bpa but if a couple timely rains present themselves, this field's estimated yield is 60 bpa.

At our stop in Hudson, IN we found a corn field in 30 inch rows, standing in soil measuring 4 on the moisture probe. Talking to the producer, he said their last rain was a few weeks ago. Final populations of 33,31, and 29K in each of the rows sampled with the initial planted rate of 34.9K. Ear sizes ranged from14x23 to 18x40 with an average size of 18x28. Plant health was excellent, evidence that the field was well managed. After our calculations our estimated yield is 185 bpa.

Our soybean field in Teegarden, IN was a non irrigated field planted in 15 inch rows at 170K population. Plants stood 39 inches tall and were in excellent condition. Pod counts were 61 and 41 on 26 and 14 nodes respectively. These beans were late planted with all pods flat and just starting to fill. The soil moisture was 7 on our soil probe and as sandy as this field is, it needs a few more rains to finish properly. If rain is received this field should yield 55 bushel +/- 15 bushel.

Our next stop was a struggle… Teegarden, IN is where we finally found a non-irrigated corn field. This field also was no-till planted in 30 inch rows. Populations were 27K on average but varied between rows with several skips evident. Ear sizes were only 12 and 14 around but flexed in length to compensate for the lighter populations. The shortest ear was 47 long with the longest at 56 in length. Kernels were just beginning to dent. There was also waterhemp scattered throughout the field but not enough to hinder plant development. Plant health was good with no signs of disease. Corn borer beatles were evident in the area but no ear damage was observed in this field. After our calculations the estimated yield was 235 bpa.

Our soybean field in Hopkins Park, IL was planted in 20 inch rows with an erratic stand down the row. Population, where sampled, was at only 80K with large gaps between a couple of plants. Pod fill was less than half full and pod counts were 67 and 107 on 42 and 44 nodes respectively. Plants were aggressively compensating for the lack of competition down the row by branching out and producing more pods. Lack of population may have capped the yield, but these beans are making up for the light stand. No isues with field conditions and plant health was very good. Estimated yield - 70 bpa

Our next stop was in Hopkins Park, IL. The corn field we found was in 30 inch rows and standing soil measuring 9 on our moisture meter. This field was not irrigated in an area where irrigation is prevalent. Stands seem erratic with two rows having random skips. Populations were 35, 32, and 30K with ear size from 14x43 to 18x46 with all ears filled to the tip. Plant health was excellent with ears right at head height. There was zero issues with field conditions and after our calculations our estimated yield is 280 bpa.

Our soybean field in Mazon, IL was planted in 20 inch rows and evenly spaced at 110K population. Plants stood 44 inches tall and had pod counts of 81 and 111 on 30 and 42 nodes respectively. At this population and row spacing, these pod counts were impressive. Pods were over half full on average and the soil contained plenty of moisture to finish. This is probably the best soybean field sampled during this tour. Estimated yield - 90 bpa.

The last day of the 2025 Crop Tour and the first stop was in Mazon, IL. The corn field we sampled was in 30 inch rows with a final stand of 31+K. Stands were even down the row with only one skip present. Soil was 10+ on the moisture probe with no weed, disease, or insect pressure. There were indications of denitrification on the lower leaves but after further inspection of the ears, this producer seems to have his nitrogen needs accurately applied. Ear sizes were mostly 18x38 with only one 16 and one 20 rows around. All ears had a very little tip back. This field seems to be in excellent condition and should produce well. After our calculations our estimated yiel is 270 bpa.

Our bean field in Dekalb, IL was in 15 inch rows at 170K final population. Pod counts averaged 49 on 29 nodes per plant. Impressive at this population. Weed, insect and disease free, this field just looked happy standing 39 inches tall. Good pod counts and high population will produce a pleasing yield. Estimated yield - 80 bpa.

Our annual stop in Dekalb, IL provided a corn field in 30 inch rows with an average population just shy of 35K. Ears varied in size from 16x27 to 18x37 and all had signs of tip back. There were beginning signs of tar spot starting to form on lower leaves. This may need a judgement call weather a fungicide application is needed to help insure what is there. Ears were in early dent stage with plants just beginning to fire at the base. With that said, good populations may have salvaged a field with below average ear size. Estimated yield - 240 bpa.

Our bean field in Mechanicsville, IA was in 20 inch rows, standing 41 to 49 inches tall and was in excellent health. Stands were a bit erratic down the row and where sampled was at 110K final population. Pod counts were also erratic at 28 and 87 on 12 and 32 nodes respectively. Pods were half filled with more developing randomly throughout. Plants seemed to have more vine between nodes with the extra hieght. With the erratic stand down the row, this field may not reach its potential at this population. Estimated yield 65 bpa.

After having a long discussion about being able to work on your own vehicle, it was fitting our next stop was in Mechanicsville, IA. The corn field we sampled was in 30 inch rows standing in soil that measured 10 on the moisture meter. Population averaged 31K with a few skips in two of the rows. No disease,weeds, or insects evident with excellent plant health. Ear sizes ranged from 12x44 to 18x41 with the other 7 ears all 16 around by an average of 40 long. A few ears had tip back but not all. After our calculations, our yield estimate is 245 bpa.

Our Janesvile, IA soybean field was in 30 inch rows, standing just 27 to 31 inches tall and not shading the row. Populations were only 100K with pod counts of 21 and 44 on 17 and 26 nodes respectively. Pods were about half filled on average with some pods still forming randomly throughout. There were no disease, weeds or insects present and the plants seemed healthy, just not that impressive. With the lower pod counts and light final population this field may disappoint. Estimated yield 50 bpa, maybe.

Our corn field in Janesville, IA, an area frequented on the tour, was in 30 inch rows standing in soil that measured only 6 on our meter. Even though this was dryer than other stops this field wanted nothing. Populations a little over 32K, evenly spaced down the row, with a few plants containing a second ear. These were not counted in our sample due to the fact they wer not big enough…yet. Plants were fully green and ears were just on the verge of denting. Ear size ranged from 16x31 to 20x40 with an average about 18x39, all with very little tip back. This field would have benefited by a higher population, but still our Estimated yield is 270 bpa

In Riceville, IA our soybean field was in 30 inch rows, standing about 38 inches tall. Pod counts 72 and 96 on 27 and 34 nodes respectively. Pods were half filled and mostly three bean pods with a few four bean pods here and there. Nodes were fairly close and layden with pods. When you pulled back the canopy, it was impressive. High pod counts with final populations oa 110K will produce a good yield. Estimated yield - 80 bpa