By Albert Makendenge
Bumper harvests are highly likely for most farmers this agricultural season following very good rains across the whole country. Farmers are obviously excited and are all wondering what the final yield might be. Here is how they can play around with their figures to estimate it.
- The first thing for farmers is to figure out the average kernel weight of an average sized cob. This can be achieved by actually shelling off the grains and weighing them on a scale.
- Farmers also need to identify the number of ears in a row (by physical counting) as well as the number of rows in that particular area of interest.
Through multiplying all of the figures identified above, the farmer will be able to come up with an estimate. That is, the average kernel weight of a single cob multiplied by the number of ears in a row multiplied by the number of rows in that particular area)
- Accounting for moisture levels which usually drop from 25%+ to an optimum of about 12% when the grains are fully and finally dry, farmers can get a close insight on what their final yield will be.