Soybean Basics

Many of you have already started thinking about your planting intentions for 2018, Chad Lee, University of Kentucky Extension Professor along with Shawn Conley, University of Wisconsin Extension soybean and wheat specialist have some suggestions that could help you in these times of tight economics.  They feel some inputs and practices can be taken out of your regime, but there are others that shouldn’t be eliminated.  Here’s a quick list of dos and don’ts from these two individuals that may help boost your soybean production:

• DO invest in the seed.  They’re referring to seed with high-yielding genetics.
• DON’T skimp on seed treatments.  Conley’s data reveals a consistent 70% return on this investment, and if you’re trying to decide when to use them, choose treatments for early-planted soybeans.
• DO plant early.  Conley likes the last week of April and the first 10 days of May.  Once you’re past that, you start to see a loss ranging from .2 to .5 bushel per acre per day.
• DO manage weeds.  There were more problems last year than has been seen in a long time, so be aware of your herbicide program going into next season.
• DON’T be frugal with potassium.  Know what the yield level is and meet that demand.  Eighty bushel soybeans are equivalent to the removal of 100 pounds of K20 in that field.
• DON’T add extras in your tank for no particular reason.  A lot of those products are $5 to $10 per acre, which makes it hard to show the return on investment.
• DO examine your seeding rate.  The guideline for soybeans is 140,000 seeds per acre, and seeding at higher levels leads to more costs.  High populations have a lot plant mortality, or the plants only have two or three pods.
• DO the basics.  A lot of products are looked at as insurance and not all of them are necessary.  This may be the year you raise your deductible and lower your premiums.

These pointers may well provide you with a successful game plan this coming season.  Take some time during these winter months to consider your specific situation so you can go through next year confident you’ve done your best.

-Terry, Titan Outlet Store Team

Reference:

https://www.agriculture.com/crops/soybeans/8-dos-and-don-ts-for-soybeans?utm_source=ag-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todaysnews_121817&did=202230