2018 Spring Farm

Page 4 March 22, 2018 2018 Logan County Farm Outlook Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS W hat a great surprise the fall of 2017 harvest was! With area precipitation between five and twelve inches below normal, above average yields were not anticipated. n Logan County corn yields averaged 213 bushels per acre according to preliminary information released by the National Ag Statistics Service. n Soybean yields also were very good at 64.7 bushels per acre. n Putting these yields in perspective, new ten year averages are 183.57 bushels per acre for corn and 56.85 for soybeans. n While excellent, the yields didn’t approach the record yields of 230.8 for corn and 66.6 for soybeans. The lofty yields of 2017 helped greatly toward improving the bottom line of producers, but did not leave all producers in the black ink category. Budgets remain tight on local farms due to the cost squeeze. Using Gary Schnitkey’s preliminary crop return numbers, corn was estimated to return $5 per acre in our area using a yield of 225 and a price of $3.50 for corn with land costs of $270 per acre. Soybeans were a little brighter with a return of $38 per acre using figures of 67 bushels per acre at $9.50 and the land cost the same $270. One key difference in profitability is the average cash rent for Logan County hitting $289 per acre, according to the National Ag Statistics survey for 2017. Dr. Schnitkey’s figures look a bit less optimistic for 2018 as we approach planting time, with his projections showing a loss of $63 per acre for corn and a profit of $3 per acre for soybeans. Play with the yield numbers, crop prices, or input costs as much as you want. The end “The Big Picture” Continue 8 John Fulton