FUNDED BY THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION CHECKOFF PROGRAM.

2015

Weed Management: Considerations for Weed Management in 2016: Part 3

Multiple or EffectiveThe continuing and expanding challenges imposed on agronomic cropping systems by weed populations resistant to various herbicides has led to renewed interest in utilizing multiple modes of herbicide action in weed management programs. Indeed, articles written about and advertisements for products that contain multiple modes of action populate many farm media publications. But, simply because a herbicide premix or tankmix combination includes herbicides representing more than one mode of action doesn’t necessarily mean that each component in the premix or tankmix will be effective against the target weed species of greatest concern. There are many instances when multiple [...]

By |December 8, 2015|

Agronomy: Growing Continuous Beans: Variety Selection

Want to plant back to soybeans after the last soybean crop? Start with selecting the right variety. With everyone looking for ways to trim costs going into 2016 there have been more questions about planting soybeans two years in a row. Economic studies show that even in times of low commodity prices yield is still the primary driver of profitability. Cutting costs at the expense of yield will not always improve profitability. That being said, input costs for soybeans are significantly less than for corn. Many producers in central Illinois will argue that corn is more profitable, but there [...]

By |December 4, 2015|

Growing Continuous Beans: Seed Treatments – A Key to Successful Continuous Soybean Rotation

Growers have been contacting the Illinois Soybean Association asking about growing continuous soybeans. Soybeans require few inputs and have a lower product cost per acre than corn, so this is a very relevant question as we go into 2016. While growing continuous soybeans may not be the status quo, there are management practices that you can follow to have a successful growing season. In this article we will be focusing on using seed treatments to mitigate risks associated with continuous soybeans. It is important to remember that seed treatments alone cannot make continuous soybean production successful. Given that varietal selection [...]

By |December 3, 2015|

Agronomy: Profitability Matters: Maximizing Crop Insurance Opportunities

Lower commodity prices pose a unique challenge of staying profitable in a tough market. Crop insurance provides farmers with an important risk management tool, and this is especially important as farmers look at continuing tight margins in 2016. “Producers are trying to find a positive net return in their budgets for 2016 and it’s hard to find,” says Giles Distinguished Agricultural Economics Professor Keith Coble, Ph.D., with Mississippi State University. “But good management and smart decisions will go a long way this year.” In this episode of Profitability Matters, Coble shares his insight on crop insurance decisions and steps farmers [...]

By |December 2, 2015|

Agronomy: Growing Continuous Soybeans

Is 2016 the year to grow more soybeans in rotation? Commodity prices are low, production of corn and soybeans is high (particularly for corn), and growers want to both ensure a profit as well as save money. Is there an opportunity to grow more soybeans in a rotation and is a there a soybeans-on-soybeans yield penalty? For years we have thought that the yield penalty for growing continuous soybeans was greater than for growing continuous corn. The reason was a buildup of soil pathogens that knocked off seedlings and led to poorer plant health. I have often wondered if this [...]

By |December 2, 2015|

Agronomy: Lessons from the 2015 Crop

The biggest question I get asked now that all the soybeans have been harvested is, what lessons did we learn and what can growers do differently next year? My answer would usually include a joke about not using as much water. However, despite having too much rain last year, the soybeans didn’t seem to suffer as much as expected based on final yields. Tillage is the first thing that I would address in the answer. No-till soybeans have had a tough couple of years. I believe that having some form of tillage ahead of soybeans has paid off the last [...]

By |November 25, 2015|

Agronomy: New Soybean Management Discoveries

Wow, what a year the 2015 season has been! From the start, farmers were challenged by weather events that staggered early season growth. We were no different at Beck’s new Southern Illinois Practical Farm Research site in Effingham. Transitioning from a traditional farm that still had cattle and chickens on it in April, to a full-fledged research farm was a huge accomplishment in a short amount of time. Like others in the area, we experienced excessive rainfall events in the months of May and June. The conditions we faced led to an opportunity to test Yield Center’s 360 Y-DROP® on [...]

By |November 24, 2015|

Agronomy: Soil Sampling

Hopefully there are no soybeans still in the field at this point in Illinois. Even the double crop soybeans should be out by now. So soybean management is done for the season. And while you might thinking of heading south to sunny shores for the winter, take some time to start preparing for 2016. Setting the stage for yield really begins with the soil—which begins with soil sampling and a measurement of soil health. Fall is the time to pull soil samples. Soil is fit for sampling and you can make applications of dry materials without compacting the soil. A [...]

By |November 19, 2015|

WEBINAR: Getting the Most out of Your Soybeans with Good P and K Nutrition

Providing adequate amounts of phosphorous and potassium nutrition can help soybean plants reach their potential yield. When these nutrients are deficient in the soil, the plants cannot reach their maximum potential and it will be reflected in the yield. Dr. Robert Mullen, Director of Agronomy with Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, explains the importance of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the soil, provides tips for a fertilizer strategy, and discusses why proper plant nutrition is a wise economic decision for farmers. Key Takeaways: Corn requires more phosphorus while soybeans require more potassium. However, it is just as important to [...]

By |November 18, 2015|

Agronomy: Profitability Matters: Staying Ahead of the Curve in 2016 Finances

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. net farm income is set to decline by 36 percent in 2015, and commodity prices are not expected to improve in the foreseeable future. “Farmers are going to see more financial stress in the next six months, but they have many resources available to stay ahead of the curve on finances,” says Farm Management Specialist Steven Johnson, Ph.D., with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. In this episode of Profitability Matters, Johnson shares his insight on 2015 and 2016 commodity markets and steps farmers can take to ensure a financially strong 2016. [...]

By |November 17, 2015|
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