Question

explain need for higher crop yield

Answer 1

crop yield is a measurement of the amount of agricultural production harvested per unit of land area. Crop yield is the measurement most often used for cereal, grain or legume and is normally measured in bushels or pounds per acre in the US (metric ton or kilogram per hectare outside the US). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) produces charts and maps displaying crop yields, crop weather and crop acreage animations to assist US farmers maximize agricultural product output.

Crop yield can also refer to the actual seed generation from the plant. For example, a grain of wheat yielding three new grains of wheat would have a crop yield of 1:3. Crop yield is sometimes referred to as "agricultural output."

BREAKING DOWN 'Crop Yield '

To estimate the crop yield, producers usually count the amount of a given crop harvested in a sample area. The harvested crop is then weighed, and the crop yield of the entire field is extrapolated from the sample.

For example, if a wheat producer counted 30 heads per foot squared, and each head contained 24 seeds, and assuming a 1,000 kernel weight of 35 grams, the crop yield estimate using the standard formula would be: 30 X 24 X 35 X 0.04356 = 1097 kg/acre. And since wheat is 27.215 kg/bu, the yield we estimated would be 40 bu/ac (1097/27.215) or 40 bushels per acre.

Answer 2

High yields obtained through best management practices have additional benefits beyond more profit. They also protect the environment because:

• Efficiency of inputs such as fertilizer and crop protectants is increased.

• Earlier ground cover is achieved which decreases erosion hazard.

• More crop residue is produced, which increases water infiltration. Erosion hazard is also reduced.

• Greater root development also reduces erosion potential.

• More yield per acre increases the opportunity to idle fragile acres.