There is a lot of talk about the soybean technology trait options growers can choose from in the upcoming years. Between Round Up Ready 2 Xtend®, Round Up Ready 2 Yield®, LibertyLink® and LibertyLink® GT27 all approved for production as well Enlist E3™, Xtend Flex® and MGI (Mesotrione, Glufosinate, and Isoxaflutole) currently in route for foreign approval there are enough choices to make any grower look at their options a little more in depth than in years past. With all these choices, how do growers decide which platform is best for their operation? Going back to the basics and [...]

This article was originally written for the "Burrus Buzz." Several industry experts have been urging growers to plant soybeans earlier and earlier. There is substantial data and on-farm experience to support this logic, however, one remaining question for many growers is, “Should I change maturities for an earlier planting date?” On a recent Twitter poll posted by ILSoyAdvisor, they asked, “If you are planting soybeans in April, how are you going to choose your maturity group?” Given three possible responses, 33% of respondents chose “Same as for May planting,” 15% selected “Shorter for early harvest,” and 52% opted for [...]

Soybeans have been grown in the United States since 1851 when Dr. Benjamin Franklin Edwards received a packet of seeds from a Japanese sailor. He gave them to his friend John H. Lea who planted them in his garden in Alton, Illinois. From there, soybean cultivation spread across the Midwest, with beans initially being used as a forage crop for livestock. In 1904 George Washington Carver discovered the utility of soybeans as a source of protein and oil, their benefits to soil health and their value in crop rotation. Resource shortages during World War II greatly increased the demand [...]

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, [...]

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 [...]

In the past 5 years, Illinois soybean yields have risen exponentially compared to the previous 10 – 15 years. A lot of this increase can be attributed to modern breeding programs; however, modern management has also improved. High-yield producers view a crop as a series of decisions, throughout different growth stages, that add up to improved yields. These growth stages usually include “early,” “middle,” “late” and now - R4.5. Early Season: Anything associated with improving emergence and early vigor. Seed treatments allow for early planting dates, while ensuring adequate stands. Tillage improves seed-to-soil contact and reduces early season root [...]

Soybean yield is determined largely by number of seeds per acre. The more seeds the bigger the yield. Seed size and weight also plays a smaller role in final yield. Seed number per acre is largely determined by pods per plant and acre. And yes, seed number per pod has an effect, but like seed weight, it’s a smaller component. In my experience if you track seeds per pod across a plant and field it will range from 2.5 to 3 seeds per pod. Sure, you will find a 1-bean pod at the top, 4-bean pods and sometimes a [...]