Early Planting Soybean? Yield Increase Secret Unlocked!
Early planted soybeans are a hot topic and is the cheapest input to higher yields in soybeans, barring any replants, it costs nothing extra. In his March 21 blog, Risks and Rewards of Planting Soybean Early, Todd Steinacher did a fantastic job of going through the pros and cons to consider this practice on your operation. Let’s look at this from the plant’s point of view to see how and why early planting soybeans promotes higher yields. Many have seen the V and R stages in either the Illinois Crop Management handbook, Purdue Agronomy Guides, or your favorite agronomic outlet [...]
Current Soil & Moisture Conditions and Outlooks to Summer
2020 marked the third consecutive year with statewide total annual precipitation above the long-term average, and it was the eighth wetter than average calendar year since 2011. However, the statewide totals do not paint a complete picture of current moisture conditions around the state. While the wet trend continued throughout the year in southern Illinois and parts of northern Illinois, drought developed and has persisted in central Illinois. Here I will summarize current moisture conditions and both temperature and precipitation outlooks through spring. Current Conditions Virtually every part of Illinois was wetter than average through the first half of [...]
Five AgTech Pre-Planting Considerations
Spring has sprung and so has the excitement of a new crop season in Illinois. With all the excitement of a new crop, it is also a time to reflect on the last crop to see what can be improved with the new technology available. You have spent all winter seeing new, innovative ag tech at virtual events, farm shows and implement dealer events. Now you are ready to start applying this new technology into your operation. Before you start using some of the new precision ag and new ag tech tools, you may have to do a little [...]
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