Crop Yields Are Average Despite Low Rainfall

Despite the low rainfall this growing season, the Fulton County 2007 crop yields are similar to past county yields, said Greg LaBarge, county Ohio State University Extension agent.

"This year was probably right at our five-year average as far as corn goes," he said. "The fiveto six-year average for soybeans would be above."

Compared with 2007 expected state yields, LaBarge said that, "based on what folks said," Fulton County soybean harvests were high and corn yields were on par.

Preliminary estimates suggest the year's state corn yields will be at 150 bushels per acre.

In comparison, the Fulton County yields vary greatly by area, said LaBarge. "A lot of the lower yields would be over in the western half of the county because of lack of rainfall."

He estimates a range from 100 bushes per acre, underneath the state estimate, to 215 bushes/acre, way above it. Last year, the county harvested an average of 178 bushes/acre.

LaBarge places 2007 county soybean yields at 55-65 bushes/ acre. That compares with Ohio's expected 2007 yield, and the county's 2006 yield, of 48 bushes/acre.

Soybeans are less affected by dryness, so the range in soybean yields was smaller than that of corn yields, said LaBarge.

"Soybeans generally do a little better under drier conditions. Then we got some rain in August that helped finish out the crop.

"Everybody seemed to be pleased with the soybean yield overall."