Corn yield survey projects McLean to surpass 2018 bushel record

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A yield survey by First Mid Ag Services estimates McLean County corn to average 231.45 bushels per acre.

If the projection reaches fruition, it will break the previous record of 229.3 bushels per acre average set in 2018. Illinois’ top corn producers averaged 201.8 bushels per ace in 2020 and 198.8 the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Michael Rhoda, First Mid Ag Services assistant vice president and farm manager, said the scope of the project includes 1,600 samples from 160 locations. The samples were taken on managed farms from every McLean County township by nine First Mid farm managers.

Sample yield estimates across townships ranged from 118 bushels to 271 bushels per acre. Ninety-three percent of the locations returned a yield estimate of over 200 bushels per acre, compared to 70% in 2020 and 47% in 2019.

Most of the samples used for this estimate were taken the second week of August. Rows around and ear length were found to be slightly above average and ear population was above average.

With the large amount of fungicide used and optimal moisture available, kernel weight was estimated heavier than average, Rhoda reported.

Here are other observations from McLean County’s in-field yield survey.

Weather: 2021 turned out to have optimal planting conditions in late April. There were planting windows in May, but there was a cold spell in late May that brought frost in some areas. Following planting there was good weather in June with a cool week in late June where there were highs of 75 degrees. From Bloomington south and primarily along the U.S. route 136 corridor there were areas that recorded 10-plus inches of rainfall rain from late June to mid-July. In July, McLean County had great growing weather with temperatures staying in the mid-80s and timely rains. August has been warmer and there is still plenty of moisture out in the fields.

Planting Date: Planting dates for the samples taken ranged from April 15 through May 24 with an average planting date of April 30. When comparing the April planted corn to the May planted corn there was an estimated 13-bushel advantage from April plantings.

Emergence: Due to the majority of the farms getting the crop in with good to superb soil conditions, the emergence was great. Final ear populations of 33,000 ears per acre were recorded. This estimate was the largest ear count ever recorded in the annual survey. The average plants per acre were record highs, as well, with 34,000 plants per acre recorded. It was noted that fields with lower populations had plants with two ears; this suggests that there was enough moisture and nutrients to provide for more plants per acre.

Fungicide Application: Each year, the survey tracks samples sprayed with fungicide. Application typically occurs during the R1 timeframe between tassel and brown silk. This year, 76% of samples received a fungicide, much greater than the 32% sprayed last year. While pulling checks, disease pressure seemed to be similar between sprayed and non-sprayed fields. The survey noted a large majority of fields had tar spot pressure. A 16.8-bushel advantage is estimated on farms that were sprayed. This yield increase can be skewed due to a multitude of factors.

Nitrogen: Concerns about nitrogen were high in 2021. Anhydrous applications were able to be completed either last year or early this spring. A few managers noted a lack of nitrogen as being a problem from the heavy rain events. Firing of lower leaves or poor root development can be attributed to the long periods of minimal moisture more so than running out of nitrogen. No real issues were noted, though the “all up-front” application systems likely lost some nitrogen during the high rainfall events.

Standability: Plant health was a non-issue throughout most of the season. Average stalk quality rating is 8.87 on a scale from 1 to 10. Some plants had lodged a little, but the stalk quality wasn’t completely compromised. The survey’s lowest estimated yield was a severe wind-damaged field. As we move toward harvest, stalk qualities should be monitored because anthracnose and other diseases could still have a negative effect on stalk quality.