Harvest is nearing completion, and the managers of F.I.R.S.T. (Farmer’s Independent Research of Seed Technologies) provide more updates on how corn and soybeans are yielding.

Following are summaries for this week’s harvest. Click on the reports in blue to see exact harvest information from on-farm tests. To view maps of the regions these harvest reports cover, click on the links below.

• CORN
• SOYBEANS

F.I.R.S.T. CORN PROGRESS REPORT

Illinois East Central and Illinois South – Eric Beyers

Harvested Oct. 16, the Forsyth, IL, site yielded an average of 190.8 bu./acre for the early season test and 192.6 bu./acre for the full-season test. Corn borer infestation was extremely high at this site, cutting out tops of non-Bt hybrids and causing several hybrids to stalk lodge. Overall, rains were usually timely through the growing season.

Early – Forsyth
Full – Forsyth

The Vandalia, IL, location had substantial rain and cold temperatures during spring planting. A mid-season wind storm was blamed for green-snapping a few hybrids. Average yields were 122.3 bu./acre and 153.4 bu./acre, respectively, for the early and late-season plots.

Early – Vandalia
Full – Vandalia

Iowa North Central and Iowa North West – Chris Clark

The Luverne, IA, field was somewhat dry in June and July, but received rains at critical times which aided pollination. The full-season test averaged 207.3 bu./acre. The early season test yielded 196.9 bu./acre.

Early – LuVerne
Full – LuVerne

Dry conditions in July and August hurt the yield potential at the Lawler, IA, location. Standability and stalk quality were deteriorating at harvest due to the drought stress. Average yields were 169.1 bu./acre and 169.1 bu./acre, respectively, for the early season and full-season tests.

Early – Lawler
Full – Lawler

Despite weather extremes at the Lehigh, IA, plot, the full-season test had an average yield of 203.7 bu./acre. The early season test averaged 294.0 bu./acre.

Early – Lehigh
Full – Lehigh

The Paullina, IA, plot had a combination of stresses that influenced ear size and final yield. Drought stress and high temperatures in mid-July caused less gain fill and ultimately reduced yield. Average yields were 178.5 bu./acre and 168.7 bu./acre, respectively, for the early season and full-season tests.

Early – Paullina
Full – Paullina

Nebraska Northeast, South Dakota Northeast and South Dakota Southeast – Mark Querna

A wet spring delayed planting at the Menno, SD, plot until May 16. The field experienced a light hail storm in mid-June and a lot of hot and dry conditions in July. Average yield was 108.5 bu./acre on the early season test and 113.8 bu./acre on the full-season test.

Early – Menno
Full – Menno

North Central Tri-States – Jason Beyers

Rainfall was plentiful all growing season at the Milledgeville, IL, site. However, by harvest on Oct. 20, stalk rot was becoming a concern. This site averaged 221.8 bu./acre on the early season test and 236.9 bu./acre on the full-season test. Also, several hybrids showed signs of Gray Leaf Spot being present.

Early – Milledgeville Full – Milledgeville

Stalk rot was just starting to set in at the Farmersburg, IA, plot at harvest on Oct. 20. Average yield was 190.1 bu./acre on the early season test and 206.9 bu./acre on the full-season test.

Early – Farmersburg
Full – Farmersburg

Cool wet conditions immediately following planting reduced the stands of some hybrids at the Miles, IA, field. Average yield was 212.6 bu./acre on the early season test and 236.6 bu./acre on the full-season test.

Early – Miles
Full – Miles

F.I.R.S.T. SOYBEAN PROGRESS REPORT

Illinois South- Eric Beyers

The Vandalia, IL, plot received 21 in. of rain before July 1. The plot yielded an average 51.0 bu./acre.

Vandalia soybeans