These scouts, divided into east and west wings, observed crop conditions in more than 1,100 randomly selected corn and soybean fields.
The scouts estimated that the 2010 U.S. corn crop will be 13.29 billion bushels with a yield of 164.1 bushels per acre. They estimated the soybean crop at 3.5 billion bushels with a yield of 44.9 bushel per acre.
A large U.S. corn and soybean crop is maturing rapidly but has a few vital weeks until full maturity. Yields hang in the balance.
The tour summation supports recent USDA yield potential estimates, but also emphasizes the fact that crop size can yet swing, higher or lower, in the remaining days of August and the first part of September. Large/record large crops are not in the bin yet.
The Pro Farmer tour began on Monday, Aug. 16, and concluded on Thursday, Aug. 19. The annual tour also drew hundreds of growers each evening for daily summaries along the way, concluding with a final dinner and presentation in Austin, Minnesota, where both east and west wings of the tour met.
During the tour, area agronomists from Pioneer Hi-Bred also evaluated crop conditions and provided summaries to growers at the evening events.
This year marks the 17th year of the Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour. Crop conditions and yields were evaluated in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota.
The Pro Farmer analysis is released in advance of the USDA’s September 10 crop production report, giving growers earlier insight that can be used in their grain marketing decisions. FG
PHOTOS
TOP: Pioneer Area Agronomist Jerome Lensing analyzes ear development in a hail damaged field.
BOTTOM: Jerome Lensing with Pioneer Sales Rep Dan Ireland and Customer Brian Loeffler taking a look at sulfur deficiencies.
--Information and photos provided by Jerry Harrington, Pioneer Hi-Bred
