As the summer winds down, an estimate of what is in the field is very important to help in planning marketing of the crop or purchase of additional feed. A fairly simple estimating technique involves the following steps.

First, measure 1/1000 of an acre, with 30-inch row spacing that would be 17.4 feet in one row of corn.

Next, count the number of ears in that section of row. For every fifth ear in the sample row, record the number of complete kernel rows per ear and average for all the ears in the sample. Then count and average the number of kernels per row.

After that, use the following formula to estimate yield. Multiply the number of ears in the 1/1000 acre times the number of kernel rows per ear. Then take that answer and multiply by the number of kernels per row. Divide that answer by 90 and the result is an estimate of bushels per acre. Repeat this several times across the field to increase the accuracy of your estimate.

Corn producers are reminded that prior to feeding or selling 2006 production, a CCC-633EZ form must be signed to qualify for Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs). The LDP rate for corn changes daily.Since corn silage harvest is under way, now would be a good time to contact the office for farm specific LDP information. Basic eligibility rules require an acreage report to be on file; 2005 acreage can still be filed, although a late fee will be applicable.Producers must also certify that they are operating their farming operation according to an acceptable conservation system. Really it is a simple process that corn producers may not want to overlook as LDP rates exceeded 40 cents per bushel last fall.Computer savvy producers can request LDP benefits via the Internet. This process is called e-LDP and requires a level 2 authorization. Contact the office for additional information at 724-482-4800, Ext. 2 or 724-775-2369, Ext. 2.