U.S. corn and soybean yields between 2013 and 2018 are both well above trendlines. Corn yields were 8.2 bushels per acre above trendline, while soybean yields were 3.7 bushels per acre above trendline. Those numbers come from a University of Illinois study. Soybeans were above trendline in every state the crop is grown in. Gary Schnitkey of the University of Illinois says the six-year run of above trendline yields has been remarkable. “A combination of good growing conditions, continuing increases in the genetic potential of soybean varieties, as well as changes in farming practices are all likely contributors to higher yields.”
While all of the states show above trendline yields, they aren’t all equally high. For example, South Dakota soybean yields were much higher than the surrounding states. Corn yields varied by as much as 40 bushels to the acre geographically. Seven corn-growing states finished with yields at least 20 bushels an acre above trendline. Five states showed yields up to as many as 18 bushels an acre below trendline.
Source: NAFB News Service