Soybean Yield Estimation

How to Estimate Soybean Yield Using CalculatedAg.com

Estimating soybean yield helps farmers and agronomists make informed decisions about harvest expectations, field management, and profitability. Follow this step-by-step guide to calculate your estimated yield using CalculatedAg.com's soybean yield estimation calculator.

1. Enter Row Width
   Input the row width in inches. This determines the feet of row that you need to count to find the number of plants per 1/1000th acre used in the yield estimate. The standard method assumes:
   • 30-inch row width → 17.42 feet to count
   • 20-inch row width → 26.14 feet to count
   • 15-inch row width → 34.85 feet to count
   The correct feet of row to count will update automatically.


2. Count the Number of Plants in the Sample Area
   Enter the total number of soybean plants within the sample row length determined in Step 1. This provides an estimate of how many plants there are per acre.


3. Count Pods from a Sample of 10 Plants
   Select 10 random plants from the sample area and count the number of pods per plant. Enter the total number of pods from those 10 plants, this will then be averaged out of the ten.


4. Estimate Seeds per Pod
   Add the number of seeds per pod from ten pods selected from the sample area. Just like the last step this will be averaged out of the ten.


5. Select Seed Size
   Choose the approximate seed size category from the dropdown menu. Seed size is measured in seeds per pound, affecting the final yield estimate:
   • Small seeds → 3,500 seeds per pound
   • Medium seeds → 3,000 seeds per pound (most common)
   • Large seeds → 2,500 seeds per pound
   Tip: Environmental stress, genetics, and nutrient availability influence seed size.
   If you are unaware of the correct seed size it is best to choose medium.


6. Calculate Soybean Yield Estimate
   Click the "Calculate Yield Estimate" button to generate the estimated bushels per acre (bu/ac). The calculation follows this formula:
   (Plant Count x Avg Pods per Plant x Avg Seeds per Pod) ÷ (Seed Size x 0.06)
   This formula is widely used in soybean production and farm planning to estimate potential yield before harvest.

For the most accurate results: Sample multiple areas of your field and average the data across different locations.

I have linked the sources I used to create this tool below; feel free to check them for any inaccuracies.