Ag predicts the Stanley Cup champions

May 28, 2018

The Washington Capitals face off against the Vegas Golden Knights

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

After an 82 regular season games and three rounds of playoff hockey, the Washington Capitals and Vegas Golden Knights meet tonight in the first game of the Stanley Cup final.

This year’s Stanley Cup final is chalked full of intriguing storylines.

Will Alex Ovechkin finally be able to win the trophy that’s eluded his illustrious career? Or will the Golden Knights continue their improbable run and win a championship in the team’s inaugural season?

While most hockey analysts use goaltending, power play statistics and other personnel matchups to determine the winner, Farms.com use the ag statistics from the two playoff states.

Since the Capitals’ home arena is in Washington, D.C., which includes land in Maryland and Virginia, information from both states will be considered. Ag stats from Nevada will be used for the Golden Knights.

The information used is in the chart comes from the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s ag overview.

** Signals advantage for each team.

	Nevada	Maryland (Md)/Virginia (Va)
NHL Team
Number of farms	4,000	44,300 (Va)**
Acres operated	5,970,000	8,100,000 (Va)**
Top crop ($)	Hay - $195,440,000	Hay - $346,964,000 (Va)**
Average acres per farm	1,493**	183 (Va)
Average age of principal operator	59.8	59.0 (Md)**
Beef cow inventory as of Jan 1, 2018	238,000	633,000 (Va)**
Total value of ag products sold	$764,144,000	$3,753,287,000 (Va)**

Based on our analysis, the Washington Capitals will be the 2018 Stanley Cup champions!

Mel/Flickr photo

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.