The Indiana Certified Crop Adviser panel includes Danny Greene, Greene Crop Consulting, Franklin; Brian Overstreet, soil conservation coordinator, Rensselaer; and Dan Ritter, Hoegemeyer Hybrids, Rensselaer.

 

My son is taking over agronomic decision-making next season, and he wants to push for top yields in soybeans. What are two takeaways from this growing season that he can learn from to get a solid start next year?

 

Greene: In our area, soybean yields overall have been very good. We were dry during much of April, allowing a lot of soybean acres to be planted early. One lesson for next year is the value of prioritizing early soybean planting over early corn planting. When soil and weather conditions are suitable, early planting gives soybeans more time to develop nodes, intercept sunlight and build yield potential.

 

A second takeaway is to establish the right number of plants per acre. April through mid-May plantings may only require seeding rates of 120,000-150,000 seeds per acre to maximize yield. Later plantings or challenging areas may benefit from higher populations to increase nodes per acre, speed canopy closure, and raise pod height for better harvestability. On the other hand, highly fertile soils may benefit from lower populations to reduce lodging. Work with your crop adviser to dial in seeding rates for your planting date and field conditions.

 

Overstreet: First, test for soybean cyst nematodes this fall if you have not previously to see if you need to use a resistant variety. Second, plant your soybeans before or at the same time as your corn. My next two takeaways would be to add sulfur to your fertilizer plan and scout for diseases and insects before you spend a lot of money on products you do not need.

 

Ritter: Not just a takeaway from this year but from previous years is the value of early-planted soybeans. While researching other agronomic topics that had split planting dates, I noticed that earlier planting dates produced higher yields. I may not have found the answer to my original research topic, but I did find the answer to another.

 

Now, specific to this year, I’d suggest that you consider applying an insecticide while making that postemergence herbicide pass. This year, there were reports of Phomopsis seed decay and purple seed stain. Insect feeding on pods and seed can vector those diseases as well as cause direct seed damage. The weather this year was conducive for those diseases, too. This increased the possibility of insects transferring from plant to plant and causing injury that predisposed the seed to disease.