Crop Yield Calculator
Harvest wet and you pay twice.
Harvest wet and you pay twice.
Yield at 15% moisture
9.41 t/ha
10 t/ha as harvested at 20% · 94.1 t saleable
Grain is traded at a standard moisture, so a yield quoted without one is not comparable to anything. Dry matter is conserved when moisture changes — only water leaves — which is why the adjustment is exact arithmetic rather than a rule of thumb. Harvesting wet costs twice. The weight paid for falls, and the drying is charged per point per tonne on top. Against that sits the risk of leaving the crop standing, which is a weather bet rather than an arithmetic one. Break-even yield is the number worth writing on the wall. It converts a whole cost structure into a single figure comparable directly against the yield monitor, and it moves every time the price does.
How the Crop Yield Calculator works
Yield corrected to a trading moisture, with the weight lost to drying, the drying cost, and the break-even yield against your own costs. Dry matter is conserved, so the adjustment is exact arithmetic.
Also known as: grain moisture shrinkage · yield adjusted to 15 percent moisture · break even yield per hectare · how much weight do i lose drying grain
Where to go next
The Crop Yield question rarely arrives on its own. These are the ones that usually come with it:
- Loan & EMI Calculator — Monthly payment, total interest, and a full amortization schedule.
- Mortgage Calculator — Full monthly cost including tax, insurance, and PMI.
- Car Affordability Calculator — Worked back from income, with running costs taken out first.
- Auto Refinance Calculator — The monthly saving, against what it costs over the life.
Not financial advice. This calculator is for planning and illustration, not financial advice. Real products carry fees, taxes, and terms it does not model. Confirm figures with your lender or a qualified adviser before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I adjust yield for moisture?
Dry matter is conserved: weight × (100 − moisture now) ÷ (100 − target moisture). Only water leaves, so the arithmetic is exact rather than a rule of thumb.
How much weight do I lose drying grain?
Going from 20% to 15% loses about 5.9% of the weight. Every point of moisture removed above the standard costs roughly 1.2% of the tonnage you carted.
Why does harvesting wet cost twice?
The weight you are paid for falls, and the drying is charged per point per tonne on top. Against that sits the weather risk of leaving the crop standing.
What is break-even yield?
Total cost per hectare divided by price per tonne. It converts a whole cost structure into one number comparable directly against the yield monitor, and it moves every time the price does.
Should I include fixed costs?
For a whole-farm view, yes — rent, machinery and labour do not disappear. For a decision about one more pass over the field, only the variable costs are relevant.
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