High yield late-planted soybeans

Normal soybean planting is down across the country, with just 68 percent of the nation’s bean crop planted. But growers still have time to maximise yields and revenue. “Planting soybeans later than normal doesn’t necessarily have to result in low yields, if you think about the plant’s physiology and make a few adjustments,” says Jim Beuerlein, Ohio State University Extension agronomist.

Research has found that when planting is delayed, soybean maturity will only be one-third to one-half the delay in planting date. If planting is delayed by three weeks, as is becoming reality in many soybean states, plant maturity is delayed by only seven to 10 days. Pushing traditional planting timelines is not as costly as many growers imagine. “I wouldn't give up on those 3.0 maturity beans yet,” says Agriculture.com Crop Talk member pupdaddy. “Last year those double crop beans I planted on July 7 were 3.1s, and with the late frost they matured well. Can't hope for that every year, but it does give you some idea of how late the maturity can go.” Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers