Simple Corn Yield

The Simple Corn Yield equation computes a rough estimate of corn yield on land based on an estimated yield per acre (see state averages below), the amount of land planted in corn, and a rough estimate of the kernel size (small, medium, large).

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (A) Acres of land planted in Corn
• (Y) Bushels per Acre expected (Default of 172 is the U.S. national average in 2020) 
• (KS) Kernel Size

Total Bushels of Corn (TBC): The calculator returns the estimated total bushels of harvested corn, and an estimated value based on the Corn Price Survey below.  To use your own dollar per bushel for a crop value estimation, use the Crop Value Estimation Calculator.

The Math / Science

Corn Price Survey

The following information is provided for the convenience of the farmer.  It is based on publicly available sources and includes average yields by crop and state, and a price survey of corn, wheat and soybean in dollars per bushel.  Note: your yield will differ from the averages due to local conditions, and the price per bushel will be different due to quality of the crop and timing of when it's sold in the market.  Nonetheless, this data used in this calculator with your amount of land is a reasonable place to start.

Corn Yield per Acre by US State

The average acre of corn planted in the United States in 2020 yielded 172 bushels of corn (see below).   A farmer can compute a good estimation of corn yield while the corn is still standing based on a 1000^th acre row survey of their own field using their own acreage and a moisture correction factor.  The Corn Yield Estimation Calc walks through the process.   In the absence of a personal estimate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides statistics by state and year.  Note, current weather conditions greatly affect corn yield.

In the U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Production 2020 Summary report, the following information on Yield per Acre

Kernel Size

Kernel size affect kernels per bushel:

• small kernels: 120000.0 1/bu 
• medium kernels: 90000.0 1/bu
• large kernels: 80000.0 1/bu

Corn Calculators:

• Corn Yield Estimation Calculator - Estimate the size of corn harvest (number of bushels) while the crop is still in the field based on a sample, acres planted and quality factors (kernel size and moisture).
• Crop Value Estimation - Estimate the value of a crop based on the acres planted, yield per acre and dollar per bushel.
• Corn Products - Estimates the amount of derivative products that can be produced based on a volume (number of bushels) of corn including: pounds of beef, pork and poultry, corn oil and ethanol.
• US Corn Pricing Survey - Regular survey of market prices of corn