Article by Kent Wolfe
Crop Sales Specialist
AGRIS Co-operative - Dutton
After a more reasonable start to the 2025 planting season—especially compared to last year—Mother Nature tossed in some late-May surprises with cooler, wetter weather. As warmer conditions return and planting wraps up in early June, one critical task should be on every grower’s to-do list: evaluate your crop stands.
Why Crop Stand Counts Matter
Field scouting doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple, and scout each field individually. The goal is to assess your final plant population and emergence uniformity—this is your “final report card” on your planter’s performance this spring.
Scouting Tools You’ll Need
Grab these basic tools before heading to the field:
- Measuring tape
- Pocketknife
- Shovel
- Plastic bag for samples
- Hand lens
- Camera
- Hula hoop (for soybeans)
- Clipboard or myFS Agronomy app
With myFS Agronomy, you can record geo-referenced photos, track your observations, and later compare satellite NDVI images for field health insights.
To calculate your stand accurately, use the 1/1000th acre method for corn or the hula hoop method for soybeans:
Corn – 1/1000th Acre Row Lengths:
|
Row Width
|
Length of Row
|
|
15” (38 cm)
|
34 ft. 10 in. (10.62 m)
|
|
20” (50.8 cm)
|
26 ft. 2 in. (7.97 m)
|
|
30” (76.2 cm)
|
17 ft. 5 in. (5.33 m)
|
|
32” (81.3 cm)
|
16 ft. 3 in. (4.98 m)
|
Soybeans – Hoop Count Conversion:
Hoop Diameter
|
Multiply Plant Count By
|
|
36” (91 cm)
|
6,165
|
|
33” (84 cm)
|
7,334
|
|
30” (76 cm)
|
8,874
|
|
27” (69 cm)
|
10,956
|
|
24” (61 cm)
|
13,865
|
What to Look For
Final Population
Does your plant count differ by more than 10% from your expected seeding rate? If so—and no external factor like weather is to blame—your planter may need inspection or repair.
Uniform Emergence
Even emergence equals higher yields. Delays of just a few days in emergence can lead to competition between plants and yield loss.
Root Development
Dig up plants to check early root growth, especially in corn. Restricted nodal root growth can impact the plant all season. Common causes include:
- Soil compaction (from tillage or wet planting)
- Insects
- Fertilizer salt burn
- Herbicide injury
Visual Observations
- Weed escapes or pressure
- Early signs of insects or disease
- Differences in hybrids/varieties
(Remember: variation in height or colour doesn’t always equal yield loss.)
Why Scouting Can’t Be Done from the Truck
Effective field scouting means walking the field—not driving by. Timely, consistent observations help you catch problems early and support better decision-making throughout the season.
Need a hand? AGRIS Co-operative’s experienced crop sales specialists and network of agronomy experts are here to help.
Contact your local branch today for in-field support.