Pro Farmer Crop Tour: August 19-22

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Heading into this year’s Tour, we knew there were areas that received excessive moisture through June in northwestern areas of the Corn Belt that resulted in some lost acres due to flooding and washouts. We also knew southern and eastern areas of the Corn Belt that trended drier through June received timely rains ahead of pollination. From our 31 previous years of experience and data collecting, we know the “recipe” for a strong yield is to rush the crop to pollination and then slow it down through grain fill.

Now's the best time to sign up to get Pro Farmer's reports leading up to, during and immediately following this year's Crop Tour. Sign up today and get 1-month for just $1. This is your last chance to take advantage of our $1 for 1-month deal, so do not wait.

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Crop Tour Sampling & Data Collection Methods

Pro Farmer Crop Tour sampling and measurements are designed to get representative results for crop districts, states, and the entire Midwest – not individual fields or counties. Scouts measure three ears of corn or count pods on three soybean plants from just one location in each field surveyed.

Each sample is identified by county so it can be tabulated by crop district, but is not associated with a specific field or farm location. Care is taken to move in and out of each field quickly, without damage.

In Each Corn Field Scouts . . .

In Each Bean Field Scouts . . .

1. Record crop district and county.
2. Go 35 paces into the field to start sampling.
3. Measure row spacing and record.
4. Measure a 30' plot, then count all ears in two rows in the plot. Record total.
5. Pull the fifth, eighth and 11th ear off one row of the plot.
6. Take corn ears back to the car.
7. Measure the length of grain on each ear, average and record.
8. Count the kernel rows on each ear (will be an even number), average and record.

1. Record crop district and county.
2. Walk as far into the field as possible without causing significant damage along your path.
3. Measure a 3' plot.
4. Count the total number of plants in the 3' row and record.
5. Randomly select three plants.
6. Measure row spacing and record.
7. Count all pods on selected plants and determine the average from those three plants.
8. Multiply the average pod count by the number of plants in the 3' section and record. (Note: There will most likely be small pods on each plant. WE WILL COUNT ANY POD THAT MEASURES ¼" OR MORE.)
9. Rate soil moisture and maturity against the two indices and record.

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