Nebraska corn yields dip while Indiana and Illinois crops show mixed moisture impacts
Pro Farmer’s Crop Tour reported an 8.9% decline in average Nebraska corn yields and a modest drop in soybean pod counts, while scouts in Indiana and Illinois observed varied disease pressure and moisture conditions affecting both corn and bean crops.
The Pro Farmer Crop Tour found Nebraska’s average corn yield at 163.6 bushels per acre, an 8.9% decline from the previous year and 5.6% below the three-year Tour average. USDA’s estimate for the state is 183 bushels per acre, also down from last season. Ear counts fell 5.2% to 86.2 per acre, matching the three-year Tour average.
Nebraska soybean pod counts in a 3-by-3-foot sample averaged 1,219.6, a 9.5% decrease from last year but only 0.6% below the three-year average. USDA projects a state soybean yield of 57 bushels per acre, 12.2% lower than the prior year.
Scout Chip Flory, western Tour leader, reported tipback and missing stalks as the main issues, noting that most corn is at the early dent stage and disease levels are not alarming. Brent Judisch, another western consultant, highlighted abundant rain, describing it as possibly the most rainfall of his 14-year tenure on the Tour, and linked warm July temperatures to tipback.
In Indiana, Tour leader Lane Akre observed more mature corn and higher moisture, with increased disease such as Northern Leaf Blight and localized flood damage near Eugene. Soybean pods were filling well, though sudden death disease appeared farther west.
Consultant Kyle Wendlund, covering Indiana and Illinois, reported generally mature corn with some hail and wind damage, noting severe corn smut in one Illinois field and variable moisture conditions across the region. Soybean crops were largely at pod-filling stage with minimal disease and adequate moisture.
Agronomist Missy Bauer warned that recent heavy rains could create saturated soils that harm microbial activity and lead to nitrogen deficiencies, especially in Illinois. Pro Farmer crop consultant Michael Cordonnier reduced his U.S. corn yield outlook to 180 bushels per acre and soybean outlook to 51.5 bushels per acre, citing storm damage in the eastern Corn Belt and beneficial rain in drier western areas. USDA’s latest August Crop Production Report listed a national corn average of 180.7 bushels per acre and soybeans at 52.7 bushels per acre.