Soybean planting is lagging

Planting of the US soybean crop remains behind the five-year average. In fact, Ohio farmers have planted only 26 percent of the intended soybean acres. Farmers in other states such as Indiana and the Dakotas have only about half their soybeans planted. Despite the late season, Dr. Jim Beuerlein, professor emeritus in agronomy extension at The Ohio State University, says growers can still maximise yields and revenue by changing a few cultural practices.

The goal of normally planted soybeans is to develop a complete leaf canopy that collects as much sunlight as possible by the time flowering begins. Beuerlein says to duplicate this condition in late-planted soybeans farmers should use narrower row widths, such as 7.5 inches apart or no wider than 15 inches apart, which will help late-planted soybeans produce a better canopy. Beuerlein also recommends a 20 percent increase in seeding rates. This can help raise the height of the lower pods to minimize the number of pods lost at harvest. 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