Corn Yield Checks In and Out of the Combine

Analyzing your inventory will help you maintain sufficient implements and tractors, without burdening your operation with excess machinery. In fact, it’s a good idea to study your balance sheet even if you aren’t adding a new production system or additional land.

Looking for advice on how to improve nutrient levels and, ultimately, crop performance, a Minnesota grower sent Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist, the soil test results on 90 acres he's renting for the first time. Here's Ferrie's input.

There are a number of practices, such as implementing a nitrogen management program, no-till or strip-till, that can create passive income on your operation, but the level of effort and investment to implement them varies.

Picket-fence corn stands with photocopied plants – uniform stalks and ears – support high yield results. Ken Ferrie says Mother Nature’s “photocopy machine” didn’t work the best in some parts of corn country. He advises farmers to consider these points as they make yield estimates.