How do you calculate yield loss percent?

Divide lost yield by expected yield and multiply by 100. With 18 bu lost against a 180 bu expected yield, that is 18 / 180 x 100 = 10% loss.

What is a good or acceptable yield loss?

Anything under your action threshold is generally tolerable. In this example a 5% threshold means the 10% loss is 5 points over the trigger, so it warrants action; single-digit losses below the threshold usually do not justify replanting.

Is yield loss the same as a crop insurance claim?

No. Yield loss percent is the agronomic starting point, but insurance pays on your covered guarantee and coverage level, so a 10% field loss may or may not exceed your deductible.

Should I use planned yield or nearby unaffected yield as the expected value?

Use whichever basis your decision hinges on. Adjusters often use an appraised or nearby unaffected strip; a grower planning replant may use the planted-variety yield goal.

Why is my loss above threshold negative?

A negative points-above-threshold means you are below the trigger. Here the result shows the loss is 5 points over the 5% threshold, so a positive gap signals action is due.

Does yield loss percent account for replant costs?

No. It only quantifies the yield gap. Compare that gap against seed, fuel, and lost calendar days to decide whether replanting actually pays.

Agriculture, Soil, Fertilizer & Farm Operations calculator

Yield Loss Estimate Calculator

Yield loss percent tells you how much of an expected crop was lost to hail, drought, disease, flooding, or a stand failure, expressed as a share of what the field should have produced. Growers, crop insurance adjusters, and agronomists use it to decide whether to replant, file a claim, apply a rescue treatment, or leave a field to finish. Because most crop insurance and management triggers are written as a percentage, converting raw bushel or ton losses into a loss percent is what actually drives the decision. It also lets you compare damage across fields of different sizes and yield potential on the same scale.

What this calculator does

Estimate yield loss percent from lost yield, expected yield, and a target or threshold loss percent.
Use it to compare damage, disease, harvest loss, stand loss, drought stress, or storage shrink against a threshold.
It computes lost yield as a percentage of expected yield and compares that percent against your action threshold.

Formula used

Yield loss percent = lost yield / expected yield x 100

Inputs explained

Lost or damaged bushels: Use the same yield unit as the expected yield input.
Expected field yield (unaffected basis): Use the planned, appraised, or nearby unaffected yield basis.
Insurance or treatment action threshold: Use the farm, crop insurance, harvest, or treatment threshold.

How to use the result

Use it right after a damage event or mid-season appraisal, before deciding to replant, treat, or file an insurance claim.
It measures gross yield loss only and ignores quality dockage, harvest cost savings on lost acres, and any yield the crop may still recover through compensation.

Current U.S. benchmarks

U.S. manufacturing runs at 75.9% of capacity (Federal Reserve, Sep 2026). New factory orders are up 8.5% year over year (Census).
Industrial natural gas averages $4.58 per Mcf (EIA, Jul 2026), down 1.3% from a year earlier, with industrial electricity at 9.77 cents per kWh. Process heating and refrigeration budgets track both.

Common questions

How do you calculate yield loss percent? Divide lost yield by expected yield and multiply by 100. With 18 bu lost against a 180 bu expected yield, that is 18 / 180 x 100 = 10% loss.
What is a good or acceptable yield loss? Anything under your action threshold is generally tolerable. In this example a 5% threshold means the 10% loss is 5 points over the trigger, so it warrants action; single-digit losses below the threshold usually do not justify replanting.
Is yield loss the same as a crop insurance claim? No. Yield loss percent is the agronomic starting point, but insurance pays on your covered guarantee and coverage level, so a 10% field loss may or may not exceed your deductible.
Should I use planned yield or nearby unaffected yield as the expected value? Use whichever basis your decision hinges on. Adjusters often use an appraised or nearby unaffected strip; a grower planning replant may use the planted-variety yield goal.
Why is my loss above threshold negative? A negative points-above-threshold means you are below the trigger. Here the result shows the loss is 5 points over the 5% threshold, so a positive gap signals action is due.
Does yield loss percent account for replant costs? No. It only quantifies the yield gap. Compare that gap against seed, fuel, and lost calendar days to decide whether replanting actually pays.

Last reviewed 2026-07-02.