Review the Results of Your Season

Denise McWilliams, NDSU/UM Extension Crop Production Specialist

As the season starts winding down, for some crops, and you are beginning to check fields for quality and yield estimates, review the factors that influence yield. Compare your ideas on the season with resulting yields at harvest. Use of yield monitors on combines definitely show the variability that exists throughout a field. Several university and industry specialists recently compiled a listing of yield factors from most important to least, that may catch your eye. Ask yourself if any of the following factors influenced your crops this year:

1. drainage (and associated soil moisture and stresses)
2. crop variety (including disease resistance, ability to adapt, maturity for the season)
3. insect or seed problems
4. crop rotation
5. tillage (was it the right use, timing and done under the correct soil moisture conditions)
6. compaction
7. pH
8. herbicides (including correct choice, misapplication and drift)
9. subsoil conditions (this is a catch-all factor of acid or alkaline subsoil, clay layer or fragipan)
10. fertility placement (including any nutrient deficiencies)

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Cindy Tong, Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota, ctong@extension.umn.edu
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Research Specialist, University of Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu

Disclaimer
Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer

Last Revised August 25, 2000.
The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer.©1999 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.