It wasn’t so long ago that growers wouldn’t plant soybeans in April, but times have changed as research continues to provide evidence of the yield benefits when planting early. Soybeans have also developed a reputation as pretty tough customers. And when growers add protection from a new generation of seed treatments they can expect strong emergence… Read More
As planters start rolling for the 2021 soybean season, growers will be managing many different planting environments — everything from conventional and minimum tillage to no-till and strip-till. Each management system will require different strategies but when properly executed (with a little cooperation from Mother Nature) they all have the potential to deliver high yields…. Read More
Over the past decade, growers have pushed soybean planting dates earlier as they pursue higher yields. Earlier planting extends the growing season, but rolling out the planter in late April also impacts several other factors that contribute to yield, says Horst Bohner, soybean specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Planting… Read More
Moisture availability is the key to getting soybeans off to a good start; they need it to germinate properly and emerge. But how deep should you plant to tap into the moisture the seed needs for strong plant stands and high yields? On this episode of RealAgriculture’s Soybean School, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and… Read More
We know that phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are needed in soybeans to achieve those high yields. But what’s the right soil test level of each of these macronutrients, what happens when there’s too much or too little, and how does that level affect soybean yield? To answer these questions, RealAg’s Bernard Tobin is joined… Read More
Tillage destroys soil structure, cuts organic matter and decreases soil water infiltration. If that’s the case, reducing tillage makes sense, right? But the decision is not that simple, says Jodi DeJong-Hughes, University of Minnesota soil and tillage extension specialist. In her presentation at the virtual Ontario Agricultural Conference, DeJong-Hughes notes that there’s no hard and fast… Read More
When it comes to planting soybeans, is spring tillage necessary? Can no-till soybeans handle the challenge that a cool, wet spring and heavy corn residue can throw at them? With 2020 in the books, it’s time to dig into some harvest data and find some answers to these questions. On this episode of Soybean School,… Read More
When it comes to strong soybean plant establishment, growers often focus on seeding rates, seeding depth, and tillage. Those are all important management practices, but Horst Bohner emphasizes the need for growers to also set up and run their planter or drill effectively, to produce optimal plant stands that deliver top yields. On this episode… Read More
Fixed and flex soybean varieties can have a great fit on your farm depending on the soil type and row spacing. Last year RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin, and Pride Seeds agronomist Matt Chapple discussed fixed and flex corn varieties. In this episode of Soybean School, the two are back in the field looking at how many… Read More
It’s a colourful time of year as leaves start to turn yellow, then brown, and then drop to the ground — not only on trees, but also in soybean fields. When moisture has not been a limiting factor, differences in days-to-maturity between varieties can be quite eye-catching heading into the final weeks of the growing… Read More
When planting soybeans after corn does the oilseed benefit from pre-plant tillage? A little spring tillage certainly enhances yield, says Horst Bohner, soybean specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Based on accumulated OMAFRA trial data, growers can expect plant stands to be 10 per cent higher and fields to… Read More
Rolling right after planting has become a common practice on soybean fields in Western Canada over the last decade, but there are some good reasons to consider delaying the timing of rolling until after the crop is up. Rolling right behind the planter or drill improves seed-to-soil contact and is definitely less unnerving than rolling… Read More
Soybeans can handle cold, dry conditions at planting, but growers need to be careful when a cold, wet forecast is bearing down on their farm. Planting is proceeding quickly across Ontario, but many growers are asking if they should park the planter as an early-May polar vortex approaches the province — daytime highs of 3… Read More
Drier weather over the last few years has taken some of the wind out of soybeans’ sails in Western Canada, but there’s a case to be made that fundamental climate trends on the Prairies still support good soybeans yields in the longer term. Especially if growers are on the ball with planting when the soil… Read More
When it’s mid-April, relatively dry, but cool, should you plant soybeans? We tackle that question on the latest RealAgriculture Soybean School episode with Horst Bohner, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs soybean specialist. Bohner has a simple answer to our question. Basically, he recommends planting both soybeans and corn within the same window…. Read More
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