August 19, 2008

 

Variable but good corn, soy seen in South Dakota

 

    

Scouts from a US crop tour that travelled south and west from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, found corn and soy in good condition.

 

The corn crops were seen in the dough to early dent stage, with the range of yield estimates from 112 to 192 bushels per acre, and the average yield for that route calculated at 150 bushels/acre.

 

Scouts on one route headed north on Highway 25, through McCook County traversing west then south via Highway 35 and Highway 37. The scouts on the route took seven samples down through Miner, Sanborn, Davison, Bon Homme and Hutchinson counties.

 

The highlight of the morning was impressive yields in McCook County where corn yields found in one field were estimated at 192 bushels/acre, with the crop in the early dent stage of development.

 

The soy seen was good as well, with the pod count estimated at 917 pods per three-foot-by-three-foot plot.

 

Overall conditions have been variable but good, with no drought stress or disease issues, said Terry Johnston, consultant for the western leg of the crop tour.

 

The crops have not been consistent, but for South Dakota it looks good, one tour scout said. Dryness and late development is an issue the farther south the scouts moved through the state, but high plant populations were seen.

 

The soy crop is need of a good soak to move it along and fill pods, but the corn is made, a scout said. Tour scouts include farmers, industry representatives and members of the media.

 

Soy pod populations ranged from 676 to 1,893, with the average pod count estimated at 1,348.

 

"However, we have encountered some short bean plants, but overall I give the crop two thumbs up," Johnston said.

 

In August, the US Department of Agriculture estimated 2008 South Dakota corn production at 567 million bushels with a yield of 135.0 bushels/acre. South Dakota's 2008 soy production was estimated at 165.6 million bushels with a yield of 41.0 bushels/acre.