ToolsSoybean yield estimate
This PropelMapper calculator combines your plant and pod samples with seed-size assumptions to estimate bushels per acre.
The starting numbers illustrate the calculation. They do not recommend a population or predict final seed size.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Seeds per acre | 9,000,000 seeds / ac |
| Pounds per acre | 3,000 lb / ac |
| Estimated yield, at 60 lb a bushelRough until seed size is known | 50 bu / ac |
You sample soybean plants and count pods before talking with the grower about yield. Here you enter plants per acre, average pods per plant, seeds per pod and seeds per pound. The result depends on all four.
You put the result into your visit note with the raw sample and the seed-size assumption. If you return for another count, the earlier note helps explain whether the estimate changed because of a new sample or a new assumption.
After upload, we prepare a report from the note. You read it and explain pod retention and final seed weight before the grower receives the estimate.
“Soybean example: 120,000 plants per acre, 30 pods per plant, two and a half seeds per pod and 3,000 seeds per pound. The calculator gives 50 bushels per acre. Final pod retention and seed weight can still change it.”
The example uses 120,000 plants per acre, 30 pods per plant, 2.5 seeds per pod and 3,000 seeds per pound. The calculated estimate is 50 bushels per acre.
The estimate depends on pod retention and final seed weight.
The example uses 120,000 plants per acre, 30 pods per plant, 2.5 seeds per pod and 3,000 seeds per pound. The calculated estimate is 50 bushels per acre.
The estimate depends on pod retention and final seed weight.
After your review
Multiply plants per acre by average pods per plant and seeds per pod. Divide that seed count by seeds per pound, then by 60 pounds per bushel (Virginia Extension yield equation).
The result assumes those components remain through harvest. A revised seed-size assumption can change the answer without any change in plant population.
At 120,000 plants per acre, 30 pods per plant and 2.5 seeds per pod, the sample scales to 9 million seeds per acre. At 3,000 seeds per pound, that is 3,000 pounds, or 50 bushels.