Strong corn yields expected: 188 bushels per acre average expected in Indiana

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As of Aug. 2, corn conditions in Indiana were rated 67% good to excellent.

“Based on conditions Aug. 1, Indiana’s 2020 corn production is forecast at 987 million bushels,” said Marlo Johnson, regional director at the National Agricultural Statistics Service, during the Purdue University discussion on the U.S. Department of Agriculture crop production report.

“If realized, this would be up 21% from the 814.6 million bushels produced in 2019. The expected yield of 188 bushels per acre is up 19 bushels per acre or 11% above the 169 bushels per acre produced in 2019.”

Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist, shared his thoughts on the 2020 crop.

“I think we can safely say most of this crop is going to mature in the month of September, mostly the second and third weeks of the month,” he said.

“It’s always good news to get that crop matured during September because it gives it a chance to still get some good field drying conditions that month when temperatures are still fairly warm.”

Nielsen is hopeful that farmers will have normal harvest timing — a welcome relief from last year’s late harvest.

“We’ve dodged some bullets with this crop,” he said. “At the moment we still have relatively low levels of some of the important foliar disease. At the moment we’ve had relatively few acres with serious nutrient deficiencies.

“As we look ahead to finishing this crop, we have a really good estimate from USDA of 188 bushel statewide, about 8% above trend. But, of course, we have to finish that crop, and that means (getting through) the rest of August and the early part of September.”

Nielsen shared key influences that would lead to high yields:

• Moderate to cool temperatures from August through early September.

• Adequate and timely rainfall.

• Plenty of sunshine.

• Healthy crop canopy, including minimal foliar disease, minimal nutrient deficiencies and minimal damage from storms.