RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Monday, December 08, 2008

Crop yields down in Hancock County
Reineke Family Dealerships - Upper Sandusky
By JIM MAURER

Staff Writer

Average yields were down for both soybeans and corn this year after a wet spring and a drought-like summer, agriculture officials report.

The average Hancock County yields for the crops were 28 bushels per acre for beans and 108 bushels for corn. Average yields for soybeans and corn in neighboring counties were similar, agriculture officials said.

More acres of soybeans and fewer acres of corn were planted this year in northwestern Ohio. Heavy spring rains delayed planting, and drought-like conditions for much of the summer did not allow maturity of the area's two largest crops.

The price farmers received for soybeans and corn increased early in the year, but soybean prices then fell, finishing lower than last year. The corn price was slightly higher.

The cost to plant the crops continued to increase.



Soybean harvest

Soybean and corn crop average yields vary across northwestern Ohio due to soil conditions, surface drainage, tilling of fields, and weather.

Hancock County Farm Service Agency Director Steve Inbody said a "conservative" estimate of Hancock County's 2008 soybean harvest is 3,533,488 bushels, down significantly from 5,302,352 bushels harvested in 2007, 5,104,680 bushels in 2006, and 5,679,810 bushels in 2005.

The county ranks fifth among Ohio's 88 counties in soybean production, according to 2007 statistics, the latest figures available from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

There were about 126,196 soybean acres planted in the county this year, up from 120,508 acres in 2007, but less than 127,617 acres in 2006 and 126,218 acres in 2005.

This year's average yield of 28 bushels per acre was down from 44 bushels in 2007; 40 bushels in 2006; and 45 in 2005.

Soybean yields across the county this year ranged from 13 to 61 bushels per acre.

The wet spring delayed planting of many fields until late May, said Gary Wilson, Ohio State University Extension agent for Hancock County. Some soybeans were replanted up to three times because of wetness problems.

And some soybeans had a weak "stand" because of late planting.

Many farmers planted soybeans after the winter wheat harvest in July, Wilson said. There were wet conditions when those beans were planted, too, but there was little rain afterward.

About half the county's wheat acres, or about 23,000 acres, were planted with soybeans after the wheat harvest.

There was little disease in soybeans this year with the dry summer, since disease development requires moisture, Wilson said.

Weather conditions during the October harvest were "excellent," Wilson said, so more field tillage was done afterward.

Chuck Swinehart, manager at Farmers Commission, Arlington, said the average test weight for soybeans was 56.4 pounds per bushel; average moisture content was 12.3 percent; and average yield was 25-30 bushels per acre.

At Blanchard Valley Farmers Co-op, grain manager Mitch Welty said the average test weight was 55-60 pounds per bushel, and average moisture content was 8-17 percent.

Price discounts are applied when the soybean test weight is below 54 pounds or moisture content exceeds 13 percent.



Corn harvest

Inbody listed a "conservative" estimate for the Hancock County corn harvest of 8,430,912 bushels, down substantially from 11,122,029 bushels in 2007; 10,568,448 bushels in 2006; 12,027,600 bushels in 2005; and 12,843,055 in 2004.

There were 78,064 corn acres planted in the county this year, down from 90,423 corn acres in 2007; 80,064 acres in 2006; 83,525 acres in 2005; and 86,195 in 2004.

The average corn yield of 108 bushels was down from 123 bushels per acre in 2007; 132 bushels in 2006; 144 in 2005; and 149 in 2004.

It was the lowest average yield since the 2002 drought year, when the average was 41 bushels per acre.

Wilson said a Sept. 14 windstorm in northwestern Ohio downed many corn stalks. The corn ears, seeking moisture in the drought, had "cannibalized" the weakened stalks.

The downed stalks slowed the harvest as farmers could not move through fields as quickly. Sometimes they could only harvest in one direction. Other times, they had to get off the combine and move the "lodged" stalks.

The county ranks 17th in the state for corn production, according to 2007 figures from the state Department of Agriculture and the federal agricultural statistics service.

Corn yields across the county this year ranged from 65 to 200 bushels per acre.

Swinehart, the manager at Farmers Commission, Arlington, said the average corn test weight was 55.4 pounds per bushel and average moisture content was 19.6 percent.

At Blanchard Valley Farmers Co-op, Welty said the average test weight was 55-58 pounds per bushel and average moisture content was 15-30 percent.

Price discounts are applied when the corn test weight is below 54 pounds or the moisture content exceeds 15 percent.



Crop prices rise

The price that farmers received for soybeans at harvest was down this year, while the corn price was up.

Inbody said on Oct. 27, the cash price for soybeans was $8.54 a bushel, down from $9.22 in 2007, but up from $6.01 in 2006 and $5.24 in 2005.

On Oct. 27, the cash price for corn was $3.56 per bushel, up from $3.38 in 2007, $3.04 in 2006, and $1.67 in 2005.

Prices for both crops have fallen in northwestern Ohio after record high prices during the summer, when corn reached $6.75 a bushel and soybeans $9-$12 per bushel, according to Welty.

When crop prices are low, farmers receive some financial assistance through the federal government's loan deficiency payment program. Under the program, a farmer can recoup a price he is not getting on the market.

Loan deficiency payments are made when the posted county price, which can change daily, falls below the estimated loan rate.

For Hancock County, the loan rate is $5.16 for soybeans and $1.96 for corn. Because of the higher prices received by farmers for each crop this year, there were no loan deficiency payments for soybeans or corn.



Costs up

While crop prices have stabilized recently, farmers continue to face increasing production costs, according to information from Ohio State University Extension.

For soybeans, variable and fixed costs combined are estimated at about $474 per acre, or $10.09 per bushel, based on a yield of 47 bushels per acre. Last year, variable and fixed costs combined were estimated at about $375 per acre, or $8.15 per bushel, based on a yield of 46 bushels per acre.

For corn, variable and fixed costs combined are estimated at about $711 per acre, or $4.74 per bushel, based on a yield of 150 bushels per acre. Last year, variable and fixed costs combined were estimated at about $562 per acre, or $3.74 per bushel, based on a yield of 150 bushels per acre.

Variable costs include seed, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, equipment repairs and crop insurance. Fixed costs include land, labor and equipment.

The higher costs mean farmers will have to decide whether to plant corn next year as part of a crop rotation, Wilson said.

Maurer: 419-427-8420,

Send an e-mail to Jim Maurer
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

3 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Amazed wrote:
.
“ OK,.....lets do some math,....$5,865,563 divided by 11 years, divided by the number of farmers in that zip code,......oh boy,...getting rich at less than $9,000 a year,...that won't even cover the fuel bill,...... ”
Monday, December 08, 2008 5:28:59 PM
Monty Siekerman wrote:
Farmers lost money in 2008?
“ Jim: Your review of corn and soybean production and profit or loss was one of the best I have read in a long time. Every year I wonder how farmers are making out, so your article was helpful. I know these are all "averages" and do not apply to any individual farm operation, but I take it that most farmers lost a lot of money during the past year. If soybeans averaged 28 bushels an acre and were paid $8.54 a bushel on average, the income was $239.12 an acre. But costs were $474. If corn averaged 108 bushels an acre and were paid $3.56 a bushel on average, the income was $380.16 an acre. But costs were $711. ”
Monday, December 08, 2008 2:57:23 PM
JIM SHEARER wrote:
Farm Prices
“ I think the farmers can afford to get lower prices and no loan deficiency payments, with the farm subsidy program that they get. $5,865,563 from 1995-2006 in zipcode 45867.Maybe you should print this (www.farm.ewg.org)in the paper and let the people if we need a pity party for the farmers. ”
Monday, December 08, 2008 10:12:41 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:19:09 AM
The Layman wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Out of control
“ I'm sorry but there are way too many personal attacks allowed on this forum. You invalidate your point when you stray from the f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:08:44 AM
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
State Farm Agent Holly Spann
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.