Wheat field with an estimated yield of 52 bu./acre in Washington County. Credit: Doug Mayo
Much of the wheat crop around the panhandle is finishing grain-fill and starting to dry down. As harvest time for wheat draws near, many growers are busy planting peanuts and cotton on other fields. However, it may prove useful to take a small amount of time from your busy schedule to field estimate wheat yields.
Doing a yield estimate is relatively simple to do. All you will need is a tape measure, a pen and pad, and a calculator.
To begin, randomly select at least 5 spots in a field to take measurements. At each spot, measure the average number of harvestable heads per foot of row. From that same spot, count the number of kernels on at least 5 heads and take the average. Normally, there are between 18-26 kernels per head. Finally determine the distance in inches between rows.
To calculate yield in bushels per acre, use the formula below:
Yield = [(Heads x Kernels per Head) ÷ Row Spacing] x 0.48
For more information on estimating wheat yield, see the publication titled Estimating Winter Wheat Grain Yields.
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