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Local News

Monday, December 07, 2009

Bountiful harvest: Corn yield sets record, beans tie
By JIM MAURER

Staff Writer

Rainy weather in October delayed this year's corn harvest, but when it was finished in November the crop produced the largest average yield on record in Hancock County.

Similarly, farmers were pleased with the soybean harvest, which tied the average yield record.

Dry conditions during the growing season had caused concern among farmers about low yields.

But timely rains, warm days and cool nights followed, increasing crop yields. And dry weather arrived in November, allowing farmers to harvest crops quickly.

Corn and soybean average yields vary across northwestern Ohio due to soil conditions, surface drainage, tiling of fields, and weather.



Corn

The estimated average corn yield was a record 156 bushels per acre in Hancock County, said Gary Wilson of the Ohio State University Extension service. The previous record was 149 bushels per acre in 2003 and 2004.

Yields this year ranged from about 130 bushels an acre to about 220 bushels, Wilson said.

"We're probably going to be talking about this year for a long time," Peter Thomison, Ohio State University Extension corn specialist, said in an article in the December issue of Ohio's Country Journal. "The bottom line here is that weather played a major role in yield, and we had the right things in place for everything to come together this year."

"... We had a pattern that is very typical of high-yielding years," Thomison said. "We got a dry period and then a resumption of rain before pollination."

Hancock County ranks 14th among the state's 88 counties in corn production, according to 2008 statistics, the latest figures available from the state Department of Agriculture and the federal Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Hancock County Farm Service Agency Director Steve Inbody said there were 78,901 acres of corn planted this year, up from 78,064 acres in 2008, but down from 90,423 acres in 2007 and 80,064 acres in 2006.

The average corn yield was 108 bushels per acre last year, 123 bushels in 2007 and 132 bushels in 2006.

With an average of 156 bushels per acre, this year's corn harvest totaled more than 12.3 million bushels, up 31 percent from more than 8.4 million bushels in 2008.

The county corn harvest had totaled 11.1 million bushels in 2007, and more than 10.5 million bushels in 2006.

Statewide, the Agricultural Statistics Service estimated a corn harvest of 3.12 million acres and an average of 166 bushels per acre, or more than 517 million bushels.

Nationally, the statistics service estimated a harvest of more than 79.2 million acres and an average of more than 164 bushels per acre, or more than 12.9 billion bushels.

Mitch Welty, grain manager at Blanchard Valley Farmers Cooperative, said average test weight for corn this year was 55 pounds per bushel, the average moisture content was 22 percent, and average reported yield of corn brought to Blanchard Valley's elevators was 160 bushels an acre.

He said the lack of rain, and cool evenings during the growing season meant no crop damage.

The southern part of Hancock County seemed to have better yields, he said.

Chuck Swinehart, manager of Heritage Cooperative, Arlington, said average test weight of corn brought to that elevator was 52 to 57 pounds per bushel, average moisture content was 18.5 to 30 percent, and average reported yield was 150 to 160 bushels per acre.

The price received by farmers is reduced when the corn test weight is below 54 pounds or the moisture content exceeds 15 percent.

The high moisture content caused farmers to dry corn using propane-powered dryers, Wilson said.

Inbody said farmers will need to "monitor the (stored) grain" more closely this year because of the moisture.

As the temperature of the stored grain rises, there could be spoilage and insects, Wilson said. "Longterm storage is not (a) good (idea) this year," Wilson said.

While the October weather, cold and rainy, slowed the start of harvest, the November weather, dry and warm, allowed farmers to get it done quickly, they said.

Grain elevators reported being swamped with corn to dry, and piled the product outside the grain silos. Corn was still being brought to elevators and drying was still being done in late November.

Some elevators reportedly turned away farmers because they had no storage available and were backed up drying the crop.



Soybeans

Wilson said a said a "conservative" estimate of the average soybean yield this year was 48 bushels per acre in Hancock County. That tied the 1998 average yield as the highest on record.

Inbody said there were 127,333 acres of soybeans planted this year in the county.

The soybean harvest totaled more than 6.1 million bushels in Hancock County, up 42 percent from more than 3.5 million bushels in 2008.

There were more than 5.3 million bushels harvested in 2007 and more than 5.1 million bushels in 2006.

Hancock County ranks 10th among the state's 88 counties in soybean production, according to the 2008 statistics.

The county's soybean acreage was up from 126,196 acres in 2008, and 120,508 acres in 2007, but less than 127,617 acres in 2006.

The average soybean yield was 28 bushels per acre in 2008, 44 bushels in 2007 and 40 bushels in 2006.

Soybean yields across the county this year ranged from 28 to 60 bushels per acre, up from a range of 13 to 61 bushels in 2008.

Statewide, the statistics service estimated a soybean harvest of more than 4.5 million acres this year and an average of 46 bushels per acre, or more than 210 million bushels.

Nationally, the statistics service estimated a soybean harvest of 76.6 million acres and an average yield of more than 42 bushels per acre, or 3.25 billion bushels.

Welty said the average test weight for soybeans brought to Blanchard Valley Farmers elevators was 56 to 56.5 pounds per bushel, average moisture content was 15 percent, and average reported yield was 45 bushels per acre, with some reports of 60 bushels an acre.

He said the lack of rain during the growing season had many farmers thinking they wouldn't get good soybean yields this year.

Similarly, Swinehart said average test weight for soybeans brought to Heritage Cooperative in Arlington was 56.7 pounds per bushel, average moisture content was 13 to 15 percent, and average reported yield was 45 to 50 bushels per acre.

Farmers receive a reduced price when the soybean test weight is below 54 pounds or moisture content exceeds 13 percent.



Prices

Prices for both crops have fallen in northwestern Ohio after record high prices in 2008 when corn reached $6.75 a bushel and soybeans $9 to $12 per bushel.

Inbody said on Oct. 27, the cash price for soybeans was $9.36 per bushel, up from $8.54 at harvest time in 2008; $9.22 per bushel in 2007 and $6.01 in 2006.

On Oct. 27, the cash price for corn was $3.47 per bushel, down from $3.56 at harvest time in 2008, but up from $3.38 per bushel in 2007 and $3.04 in 2006.



Costs

Farmers' production costs fell this year because fuel prices declined, according to crop budgets prepared by Ohio State University Extension.

For soybeans, combined variable and fixed costs were estimated at about $459 per acre for a yield of 48 bushels per acre. Last year the figure was $474 per acre for a similar yield.

For corn, variable and fixed costs combined were estimated at about $683 per acre for 150 bushels per acre. Last year the amount was $711 per acre for a similar yield.

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

Maurer: 419-427-8420,

Send an e-mail to Jim Maurer


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6 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Jim Maurer wrote:
reply to "David Shivers"
“ The information from the federal and state statistics services are preliminary figures based on information provided during harvest. Not every farmer gets the same yield, or the same price, for his crops. The average yield is an estimate based on what agriculture personnel have observed during the harvest. The prices listed are from the same day in October each year as a comparison. Many farmers have contracted their crops at a different price, or store the crop and wait for a more favorable price. Grain is a traded commodity, with prices changing daily. Farmers may receive government subsidies, but the story does not include these. Also, a majority of farmers, nearly 90 percent according to some estimates, have income from themselves and/or a spouse working away from the farm.

The bottom line is if a farmer, like any business, does not make money, they do not stay in business. Their expenses include loans, just like any business, too.
 ”
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 1:25:10 PM
Gunner wrote:
2009 crops
“ Hey j,......do the math,... $3.47 avg price at harvest as stated in the article, times the yield for this year,156,...$541.32 per acre. What was the average input cost for this year to grow 150 bushel corn as stated in the article? $683.00,.......enough said! ”
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 8:47:06 AM
David Shivers wrote:
This doesn't add up...
“ If I am reading this correctly:
A farmer growing corn on average lost $162.50/acre (150 bu/acre avg yield, $3.47/bu, $683/acre)
A farmer growing soybeans on average lost $9.72/acre (48 bu/acre avg yield, $9.36/bu, $459/acre)
How can people farm and be profitable? Do the prices listed by the Courier include subsidies? ”
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 7:10:42 AM
RDZ wrote:
one step further
“ How about putting a 1% percent Hotel tax on everyone in Findlay who was lucky enough to remain employed and stay in their house. After all it is YOUR fire department that has been cut not the farmers. ABSURD ”
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 6:53:16 AM
T.y. wrote:
gee j
“ why do you have it in for farmers? what did we do to you? is it the farms' fault that goverment doesn't know how to use money the right way? it was a great growing season this year, days weren't too hot, nights were cool. what happens when there's no rain for a period of time, or gets way too hot? things won't grow. i hope you like eating concrete the way you talk! p.s. don't believe everything you read or hear when the goverment is involved! ”
Monday, December 07, 2009 4:17:38 PM
j wrote:
Cost falls and profits up
“ Some have claimed that farmer cost are up, but this article clearly states that not the case. Hancock county needs money, and agricuture is one of the few segments of the economy that is doing well, and they should be expected to contribute more till the other parts of the economy recover. A 1% agricultural land usage tax for three years does not seem unreasonable to help return law enforcement and fire staff to normal levels in the county. ”
Monday, December 07, 2009 2:13:29 AM
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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.
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After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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