By Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois

2016 Corn and Soybean Yields in Perspective | farmdocdaily.illinois.edu The National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) recently released 2016 county yields for both corn and soybeans. In this article, maps are produced showing actual 2016 yields minus 2016 trend yields. Examination of these maps shows areas of above trend and below trend yields for 2016. Areas of above trend yields will have higher 2016 incomes relative to those areas with below trend yields.Trend Yield CalculationTrend yields are calculated using data from 1972 through 2016. A linear line was fit through these yields using ordinary least squares. The 2016 trend yields were based on these linearly fit relationships.Figure 1 illustrates the process of arriving at a linear trend for county corn yields in Sangamon County, Illinois. The dots on the graph represent actual county yields. For the past five years, actual yields were 131 bushels per acre in 2012, 198 in 2013, 228 in 2014, 184 in 2015, and 222 in 2016. As can be seen in Figure 1, yields varied considerably from year to year.