GrainYLD

Methodology and procedure

ProFarmer (adapted version for the Tournée Grandes Cultures in Quebec)

To learn more on the complete ProFarmer method : Crop Tour Methods

Equipment : Measuring tape, 30-feet rope

For corn

  1. Walk for 50 feet along the side of the field.
  2. Go in the field perpendicularly and stop at 30 to 50 feet.
    • Data gathering must be executed in a uniform area representative of the field.
  3. Measure row spacing and evaluate if rows are double or not.
  4. On one row, measure a length of 30 feet using the rope.
  5. On that length:
    • Count all ears on that row and the next row. ** Do not count empty ears.
    • Pull 3 ears: the 5th, the 8th and the 11th.
    • Evaluate growth stage, number of yellow leaves as well as overall condition of crops and fields.
  6. Back in the vehicle :
    • Measure the length of the each of the 3 ears.
    • Do not count kernels not formed yet and that will not form.
    • Count the number of kernel rows on each of the 3 ears (even number).
    • Calculate the number of kernels for the 3 ears: identify a representative row and count the number of kernels.

Growth Stages in Corn

1. Blister

R2 - Kernels are white, filled with clear fluid and distinct from surrounding cob material.

2. Milk

R3 - Kernels begin to have a yellow colour. Inner fluid is milky white.

3. Dough

R4 - Milky inner fluid becomes thicker and pasty. Outer edges of kernels become firmer. Some dents appear.

4. Dent

R5 - Majority of kernels are dented. Hard white layer of starch evident at top of kernel (milk line).

5. Maturity

R6 - Hard starch layer evident from top to bottom of kernel. Black layer forms at base of kernel.

For soybean

  1. Walk for about 50 feet along the side of the field.
  2. Go in the field perpendicularly and stop at 30 to 50 feet.
    • Data gathering must be executed in a uniform area representative of the field.
  3. Measure row spacing and evaluate if rows are double or not.
  4. On one row, measure a length of 3 feet.
  5. On that length:
    • Count the number of plants.
    • Count the number of pods for 3 plants (pods of ¼ inch or more).
      (3rd plant – middle plant – 3rd second last plant)
  6. Evaluate growth stage, presence of diseases/insects and overall condition of crops.

Growth Stages in Soybean

1. Beginning Bloom

R1 – At least one flower on one node.

2. Full Bloom

R2 – Open flowers, no pod.

3. Beginning Pod

R3 – Some flowers, pods visible and filling.

4. Full Pod

R4 – At least one pod (top 4 nodes) ¾ inch long.

5. Beginning Seed

R5 – Seeds 1/8 inch within at least one pod (top 4 nodes).

6. Full Seed

R6 – Green seeds fill cavity in at least one pod (top 4 nodes).

7. Beginning Maturity

R7 – At least one normal pod that has reached its maturity color on main stem.

8. Full Maturity

R8 - 95% of pods have reached their maturity color.

Pending invitations

As a GrainYLD member, you could participate to estimation tours or groups created by peers.