Day 3
9th Stop – Vermillion County, IL:
The crop here looks strong from the roadside, passing the visual test despite the area being marked in some level of drought on the map. This year’s ear samples averaged 16x28, down from last year’s 18x42 in the same field. While it’s not a record-setting crop, yields still appear to be solid and respectable.
10th Stop – Montgomery County, IL:
Crop conditions in Montgomery County appear very consistent. Local farmers expressed general satisfaction with how the season is progressing. With no major weather events to date, a yield in the 220 bu/acre range seems reasonable. Ear samples were comparable to last year, supporting the optimism.
11th Stop – Tipton County, IN:
Much like the previous stop, Tipton County showed strong crop uniformity and good overall conditions. Ear samples closely mirrored last year’s, and the deep green color across fields suggests healthy plants with adequate moisture. Given that last year was near record-breaking, this area looks to have similar yield potential again in 2025.
12th stop - Darke County, OH
This was our first stop in Ohio, and the crop had a healthy, vibrant green appearance from the road. However, ear samples were slightly below what we saw two years ago in this same location. Given the rougher start to the season in Ohio, it’s reasonable to expect yields to come in about 10 bushels lower than two years ago.
13th Stop – Auglaize County, OH:
In Auglaize County, we encountered some corn that wasn’t far enough along in maturity to provide a reliable yield estimate. This area performed well last year, and based on current visuals, Ohio continues to show strong crop health overall. So far, there are no noticeable signs of stress in the fields.
14th Stop – Wells County, IN:
In Wells County, the corn was more advanced in development compared to earlier stops. Fields appeared drier, with some cracking in the soil, though local farmers reported that there’s still plenty of subsoil moisture to support the crop. This area yielded around 200 bushels last year, and based on current conditions, it looks to be on a similar track again this season.
Ohio Summary
As we entered Ohio from the southwest, our initial samples looked promising and were further along in maturity. However, as we moved north through the state, the crop began to show less maturity. Like last year, Ohio got off to a slower start with planting, which likely contributed to a lower yield. In 2024, this delayed start held yields to around 177 bu/acre. This year, the combination of late planting and recent heat could be accelerating crop development too quickly, which may ultimately limit yield potential. At this point, we’re pegging Ohio around 180 bu/acre.
