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Showing posts from August, 2015

Corn Silage Pricing

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Since corn stands and yields are below normal, farmers may be interested in pricing their corn for corn silage. Two procedures for estimating corn grain yields prior to harvest are the YIELD COMPONENT METHOD and the EAR WEIGHT METHOD. Each method will produce yield estimates that are within 20 bu/A of actual yield. The YIELD COMPONENT METHOD can be used as early as the milk stage of kernel development. When below normal rainfall occurs during grain fill (resulting in low kernel weights), the yield component method will overestimate yields. In a year with good grain fill conditions (resulting in high kernel weights) the method will underestimate grain yields. For the Yield Component Method, Dr. Bob Nielsen at Purdue University suggests that a "fudge factor" of 80 to 85 (85,000 kernels per 56 lb bushel) is a realistic value to use in the yield estimation equation today, since kernel size has increased. Step 1. Count the number of harvestable ears in a length of row equivalent t

Cover Crop Economics

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James J. Hoorman, Assistant Professor and Extension Educator Ohio State University Introduction Cover crops are an added input that cost money to plant, grow, and terminate. Everyone wonders whether that investment in growing cover crops is worthwhile, whether it pays, and how long does it take to recoup the investment? This fact sheet will give some general economic guidelines and general information on what cover crops may accomplish for our soil, air, and water resources. There are several ways that cover crops pay for themselves. The economic benefits may be immediate or long-term. Some of these benefits are additive, others are harder to define. Farmers, gardeners, and homeowners often ask themselves: How much can I afford to pay for cover crop seed and still get a return on my investment? Scenario 1: Cost of Tillage versus Cost of Cover Crop Seed One way of improving soil health is to convert to no-till and start using cover crops. If conventional tillage is eliminated, use the m