Test Weight Matters in 2019: Part 2
I recently posted a blog, “Test Weight Matters in 2019”, that test weight was trending down this fall. It did really matter, but no one really seemed to care unless it dropped below 54 pounds. In the article I stated: “However, this (past) fall grain quality was an exception to the norm of No. 1 yellow soybeans resulting in empty pods, shrunken seed (low test weight), discolored and generally poor-quality beans.” The wet fall weather and delayed harvest were the culprits. Remember that buyers use 60 lb. test weight for soybeans to calculate bushels from delivery weight. Test weight [...]
Better Beans Series Headed North – Rockford, Illinois
The Better Beans Series event in Rockford was held on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at the Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center. The event was brought to producers by the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program in partnership with the CCA Soy Envoy program and Dairyland Seed. Speakers provided useful information for increasing soybean production in 2019 and beyond to area farmers and industry professionals. Rod Moran, Soybean Lead at Dairyland Seed, started the morning with a discussion on the importance of fundamentals to a systemic soybean approach. Gary Schnitkey, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, shared the keys to profitability [...]
Better Beans Series – Carlyle, Illinois
The Better Beans Series event in Carlyle was held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery. The event was brought to producers by the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program in partnership with the CCA Soy Envoy program, Bassett Farm & Seed and Droste Family Seeds. The event was well attended by area farmers and industry professionals. Speakers provided useful information for increasing soybean production in 2019 and beyond. Terry Wyciskalla, Wyciskalla Consulting, LLC, started the morning with a discussion on nutrient management recommendations for raising 80+ bushel soybeans. Mark Bernards, Ph.D., Western Illinois University, [...]
On Farm Soybean Research: Planting Dates Study
The University of Wisconsin is leading a regional planting date study. The goal is to compare the yield and profit for earlier planting dates. Earlier planting dates generally have higher yields than later planted soybean. What is needed from collaborators? Plant soybeans at two planting dates, using a similar plot layout shown below Planting dates: Last week of April or as soon as conditions allow and two to three weeks later Harvest the plot using a well calibrated yield monitor Provide the data and management information to us Geographic area of interest Looking specifically for fields shown in the [...]
Farmers raise money, share knowledge in global group
This article was originially published in the Illinois Farmer Today. OTTAWA, Ill. — Midwest farmers and church-goers have found a way to make harvest festivals, bike rides, auctions and good crop yields here raise money for projects that help people overseas fight hunger. This year, the Growing Hope Globally project in Ottawa, Illinois, raised $12,500. The harvest celebration, held on a farm this fall, included the work of 28 church groups and community members to put on a family fun day. Activities included watching combines at work, playing in corn kernel sandboxes and taking part in a variety of rural [...]
Succession Success
This article originally appeared in the January 2019 issue of Soy Perspectives a publication of the Illinois Soybean Association. Succession success — have those two words become an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp or small crowd? What stands between farmers and a smooth transition of ownership from parents to children? The list of possible answers is long, but experts often point to differing generational mindsets as one of the most significant obstacles to a successful plan. The Pew Research Center defines millennials as those born between 1981 and 1996. Since the oldest millennials are now well into their thirties, the time is [...]
WEBINAR: Improved Seed Treatment Stewardship Through Innovation
In 2018, nearly 89 million acres each of corn and soybean were planted across the United States. The seed treatment products available for growers to use to protect these crops from damaging diseases, insects, and nematodes represent valuable tools during planting season. It is essential to ensure that these products are used in an efficient and responsible manner. The stewardship and sustainability of seed treatment products have been improved through several developments through the years. These types of technological advancements provide better stewardship by reducing the potential exposure of pollinators and other non-target species in our agricultural landscapes. 1 [...]
Soybean Seeding Rates
Most growers with more than 20 years under their belt recall planting soybeans in narrow rows with a drill at populations of 225,000 to 275,000 seeds per acre. The high seed rates were a way to control weeds and secondly, drills literally pour seed instead of precisely placing it in the furrow. However, when Roundup Ready® seeds came on the market and weed control became much easier growers moved to planting soybeans in either 30-, 20- or 15-inch row spacing. At the same they begin dropping populations to 200,000 to 180,000 to 160,000 and now to 140,000. Of course, [...]
Double-Crop Conference
Double-cropping soybeans after wheat or other crops is a popular rotation that is more profitable than a single crop like corn. This rotation is practiced from Texas to the East Coast and as far north as Michigan and Ontario. In Illinois it’s primarily practiced in the southern third of the state. There are opportunities to improve the profitability and quality of wheat and yield and profitability of soybeans in the rotation by adopting the latest best management practices. In addition, research is showing that this rotation can move farther north in the state by adoption of the early wheat [...]
Enlist E3™ Soybeans
American growers have heard a lot about the Enlist™ weed control system coming to market soon in soybeans and many are eagerly awaiting full approval so they can take advantage of this new herbicide system. The term “full approval” refers to approvals of the new trait stack by all markets that import soybeans globally. Currently, all import markets have approved the Enlist trait stack except China and the Philippines. Many professionals in the seed business are not concerned about the lack of approval in the Philippines where there is a known process for approval and Enlist is on an [...]
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