Making Up for Lost Time
Get fields off to a good start after a soggy spring
It’s been a soggy spring for much of the country, with unlucky regions plagued by everything from surprise spring snows to breached levees. So, when flood waters recede, it stops raining (or snowing), and the sun finally gets a chance to warm the ground, what can farmers do to maximize their soybean crop’s potential?
Flooded fields
Be sure to sample soil in fields flooded by moving water, which may have impacted soil composition and depth in certain areas. What’s left behind may ...
Aim For Higher-Yielding Double-Cropped Soybeans
After harvesting small grains, such as wheat, many U.S. soybean farmers opt to double their pleasure and plant soybeans into the just-emptied field. Need to know more? Watch the latest “Focus on Soybean” webcast to learn the difference between full-season and double-cropped ...
Read MorePatience Is a Virtue That Pays Dividends
Late snows, flooding and overall wet conditions in many areas of the United States pose a triple threat for soybean farmers anxious to plant their crop this spring. But industry experts encourage farmers to remain patient and avoid planting in ...
Read MoreAre You Planting at the Right Depth?
Soybean farmers need to be careful about how deep they plant their seeds this growing season because, if not, they may see delayed emergence or even decreased yields, according to the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. MSU researchers say that generally, ...
Read MoreNarrower Rows May Increase Yields
As planters and farms grow, some farmers are moving away from narrow rows, but research shows return per acre can be maximized by planting rows narrower than 30 inches. That was one conclusion of a recent soy checkoff-funded study that ...
Read MoreStart Managing for Herbicide Resistance Now
As herbicide-resistant weeds continue to threaten U.S. soybean yields, many researchers continue to look for ways to help farmers fight back, including Vince Davis, Ph.D., at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In a recent “Focus on Soybeans”webcast, Davis outlined recommendations for ...
Read MoreBeware of Kudzu Bug in the Southeast
Be on the lookout for kudzu bugs this spring, especially on early-planted soybeans, which are more susceptible to this pest. Luckily, insecticides can kill this species to minimize yield loss, but the key is timing. Relatively new to the United States, ...
Read MoreMapped Soybean Genome: Key to Creating a Better Soybean
The mapping of the soybean genome, an effort that was supported financially by the soy checkoff, has accelerated the breeding of soybeans that will yield better, contain higher levels of protein and overcome a multitude of pests, diseases and environmental ...
Read MoreSix farm-safety tips to keep in mind this planting season
“Just because it has never happened does not mean it couldn't.” That statement by Chip Petrea, researcher in agriculture safety and health at the University of Illinois, may seem obvious. But with planting season speeding up, it’s worth remembering. Petrea recently shared some ...
Read MoreFencepost: What are your plans for managing herbicide-resistant weeds this year?
Steve Dixon – Tennessee "We have to deal with a lot of glyphosate-resistant marestail. The plan is to use a burndown treatment about 30 days before planting. We’ll hit it again right at or before planting. One thing we’re doing different now is ...
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