Darke County Crop Yields for 2014

As Darke County farmers prepare for another planting, crop yields for the 2014 growing season have been released from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although these crop production numbers are based on estimates, they are used for cop insurance and government reporting purposes.

A recently released report indicated 139,000 acres of corn were planted with 130,000 acres harvested in the county in 2014. The county average yield was 183.8 bushels per acre, compared to 173.3 bushels per acre in 2013. There were a total of 23,900,000 bushels of corn produced this past crop year in Darke County. Area county yields for the same year were Auglaize – 178.2, Mercer – 193.8, Miami – 178.9, Preble – 186.3 and Shelby – 173.8 bushels per acre. The state corn yield average was 176 bushels per acre.

Soybean production data showed that 145,500 acres of soybeans were planted with 145,300 acres harvested in the county in 2014. The county average yield was 57.1 bushels per acre, compared to 50.7 bushels per acre in 2013. There were a total of 8,303,000 bushels of soybeans produced this past crop year in Darke County. Area county yields for the same year were Auglaize – 58.9, Mercer – 62.2, Miami – 54.6, Preble – 59.7 and Shelby – 56.8 bushels per acre. The state soybean yield average was 52.5 bushels per acre.

Wheat acres in the county were less, with 17,200 acres of wheat planted and 15,900 acres harvested in 2014. The county average yield was 85.7 bushels per acre, compared to 80.6 bushels per acre in 2013. There were a total of 1,363,000 bushels of wheat produced this past crop year in Darke County. Area county yields for the same year were Auglaize – 85.7, Mercer – 84.4, Miami – 71.9, Preble – 83.3 and Shelby – 73.2 bushels per acre. The state wheat yield average was 74 bushels per acre.

Corn and soybean yields in 2014 varied greatly around the county, depending on planting dates, field conditions at planting and rainfall. Some corn acres were planted early before heavy rains Mother’s Day weekend and a lot of the soybeans were planted Memorial Day weekend or later.

Amanda Douridas, Champaign County Extension Educator, and I are going to look at planting dates in correlation with cold fronts to look at yield drag. Anecdotal data would indicate that planting just prior to a cold front will reduce yields significantly. Watch for more information on this later.

For more information about OSU Extension, Darke County, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.