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Soybean Seed
Numbers Boost Yield
A two-year, five-state study in Ohio, Illinois,
Indiana, Missouri and Iowa confirms a significant yield boost from
Roundup Ready 2 Yield (RR2Y) soybeans compared to first-generation
Roundup Ready (RR) technology, says Palle Pedersen, an Iowa State
University Extension soybean agronomist who compiled the data from
several cooperating land-grant university researchers.
“We looked at 24 environments over those two years,” says Pedersen.
“In 2007 at 10 locations, we saw a nine-fold increase in genetic gain
(about a 3.2-bu./acre average yield increase) from the RR2Y soybean. In
2008, we saw a four-fold increase in genetic gain (about 1.5 bu./acre)
at 14 locations. However, a lot of last year’s research plots got
hammered by rain, hail and disease so that we had low stand counts at
many locations and we lost the crop at two locations to flooding.”
Soybean yields have only been increasing about 1/3 bu./year in the U.S.
since 1924, points out Pedersen. Yet, in a year like 2007, the yield
gain from the RR2Y technology was nine times the average annual
increase.
“We compared two near-isogenic lines that are almost genetically the
same, except that one was RR2Y and one was RR,” explains Pedersen.
“Our data indicate that the increase in yield from RR2Y results from
an increase in the total amount of seed produced per area and not from
an increase in seed size.”
Monsanto study results show that the increase in yield is coming from
more seeds,” agrees Greg Elmore, Monsanto’s soybean trait manager.
“There are 2.3 more three-bean pods/plant and 4.7 more seeds/plant
with RR2Y than RR. At about 150,000 plants/acre, that comes out to about
a 4-bu./acre boost in yields.”
The increase in yields is due to the location of the RR2Y gene in
the soybean DNA. “For RR2Y, we used an Agro bacterium transformation
system that splices the DNA and inserts the gene into the plant in a
much less disruptive and cleaner way than the gene gun,” says Elmore.
The old technology used to insert the RR resistance gene into soybean
DNA is the partial bombardment method, or what is commonly called the
gene gun. “That method still works, but it is not a very efficient
technique,” says Elmore. “With the Agro bacterium, we can create
many more events to choose from than we could with the gene gun.”
However, the Agro bacterium technique itself is not what delivers the
yield boost, he emphasizes. It’s the location of where the gene lands
that is critical for high yields.
“First we created a map of soybean DNA that shows spots that are
connected to high yields,” explains Elmore. “Next, we created a
whole lot of genetic events using Agro bacterium and the RR2Y trait. We
examined the events that we created to see if the gene landed in a
high-yielding region of the DNA. Then we selected a genetic event where
the gene landed in a high-yielding region to use for
commercialization.”
Monsanto is currently using the Agro bacterium methodology in its
dicamba-tolerant and intrinsic yield trait seeds that should be ready to
commercialize in the next decade, says Elmore. This year, Monsanto will
have RR2Y varieties available in maturity groups II and III for its
initial commercial release.
“The bulk of the seed will be marketed in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois,
Indiana and Ohio,” says Elmore. “We estimate that we’ll have about
1.5 million acres of seed available for sale in 2009 and 5-6 million
acres by 2010.”
For more information about RR2Y technology, click here: www.monsanto.com/rr2y/. To read
more stories about soybean management and production, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/.
By John Pocock
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Signup Starts
For Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Challenge
The American Soybean Association and BASF Corporation
are inviting U.S. soybean producers to sign up for the 2009 Secure
Optimal Yield (SOY) Challenge. In pursuit of greater profitability,
nearly 300 growers in 25 states took part in the 2008 SOY program, and
many more utilized the methods and products described in the program to
conduct their own “unofficial” field trials.
The SOY program provides an opportunity for growers to use enhanced
crop-management technology and techniques to maximize yield and
profitability in soybeans. In addition to the one post application of
glyphosate routinely used on Roundup Ready soybeans, SOY program test
acres are to be treated with a burndown application that includes a BASF
residual herbicide plus one application of Headline fungicide at the
R2-R3 growth stage.
“ASA is partnering with BASF on the SOY program because part of our
mission is to help identify new ways for ASA members to maximize soybean
yield and profitability,” says ASA President Johnny Dodson, a soybean
producer from Halls, TN. “The crop management practices outlined in
the SOY program give soybeans a better start on account of reduced weed
pressure, and the use of a fungicide to boost overall plant health is
consistent with our goal of providing customers with high-quality U.S.
soybeans for food, feed and fuel.”
The 2009 program will again provide a free, one-year ASA membership (new
or renewal) for all growers who sign up to participate in the field
trials. The growers who enroll, participate in three online training
modules and submit field trial results will also receive a $200 Cabela's
gift card. And on top of that, growers who take just a bit more time to
submit a “success story” about their experience with the SOY
Challenge will be eligible to win prizes that include a 2010 Dodge
truck, $2,000 cash and trips to the 2010 Commodity Classic in Anaheim.
For more information on the 2009 SOY Challenge, click here: www.soygrowers.com/newsroom.
Source: American Soybean Association
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South
American Soy Harvest Pressure Picking Up
After last week’s swoon, the soybean market may have
factored in improved crop conditions in Argentina, but increasing South
American harvest progress and decreasing Chinese demand for U.S.
soybeans figure to be bearish market influences in coming weeks.
Estimates of Argentina’s production have likely bottomed out. Rains
that fell Friday and Saturday across a large portion of Argentina’s
central crop belt were enough to put crop concerns to rest for the
remainder of the growing season in some areas.
The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange now pegs Argentina’s soybean crop at
42.5 million metric tons, up from a worst-case scenario forecast of
34.8-38.3 million bushels made in late January. The Exchange’s new
estimate is 1.3 million tons below USDA’s most recent estimate, but
500,000 tons above the estimate from the U.S. agricultural attaché in
Buenos Aires.
The stabilization of the crop in Argentina and southern Brazil suggests
overall South American production estimate is not likely to fall much
below USDA’s Feb. 12 estimate.
To read more about South America’s soybean production outlook, click
here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/0224-south-america-soybean-harvest/.
Source: Brock Associates
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ADVERTISEMENT
 Sign Up Now For 2009 SOY Challenge Field
Trials
The 2009 Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) program presented by the American
Soybean Association and BASF provides soybean growers with an
opportunity to demonstrate enhanced weed and disease management
techniques on their farm. Valuable incentives and prizes offered.
Program details at www.SoyGrowers.com/SOY.
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Corn And
Soybean Basis Risk
For much of 2007 and 2008, corn and soybean basis
levels in Illinois and many other producing regions were unusually weak.
Problems with lack of convergence of cash and futures prices at delivery
markets during periods of futures contract maturity were widespread.
Currently, basis levels are quite strong in most markets and convergence
appears likely as the March 2009 futures contracts mature.
On Feb. 20, 2008, the average spot cash price of corn at interior
country elevators in central Illinois was $0.265 under March 2008
futures. On Feb. 20, 2009, the average spot cash price in those same
markets was reported at $0.11 under March 2009 futures, a level that was
typical for this time of year prior to 2007. Similarly, the average spot
basis at Illinois River locations north of Peoria was reported at -$0.29
on Feb. 20, 2008 and +$0.01 on Feb. 20, 2009. Basis at central-Illinois
processing plants was reported at -$0.10 and +$0.07 on those two dates,
respectively.
The year-over-year change in the soybean basis has been even more
dramatic. The average central-Illinois spot basis at interior country
elevators was -$0.58 on Feb. 20, 2008 and -$0.09 on Feb. 20, 2009. The
average basis at Illinois River points north of Peoria was -$0.48 and
+$0.09 on those two dates, respectively. Finally, the average
central-Illinois processor basis was -$0.42 on Feb. 20 last year and
+$0.15 on Feb. 20 this year.
A number of factors may be contributing to the much stronger corn and
soybean basis levels this year compared to last year. Lower price levels
reduce the cost of owning and storing crops and lower fuel prices reduce
the cost of transportation. A rapid pace of soybean exports and
generally tight holding of both corn and soybeans by producers as prices
have declined may also contribute to the strong basis. Improved
operating margins for grain merchandisers, as the financial pressure of
buying and storing high-priced crops and meeting margin calls on short
hedge positions has subsided, may be another contributing factor.
To read more about basis levels for corn and soybeans for 2009, click
here: www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/marketing.
Source: University of Illinois
Extension
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Merrigan Nominated For USDA Deputy
Secretary
Kathleen A. Merrigan is President Obama’s nominee
for deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Obama, speaking
of Merrigan and other nominees, said, “I am grateful that these
distinguished men and women have chosen to put their unique talents and
expertise to work serving our country. Together, I am confident that we
will be able to tackle the challenges of our time as we work to right
our economy and enact policies that give America’s working families
the relief they need.”
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) praised the
selection of Merrigan. “The farmers and rural constituents of our
grassroots member organizations are excited to have a lifelong supporter
of family farmers and sustainable and organic agriculture working with
the (Obama) administration to reform U.S. food and agriculture
policy,” said the coalition in a statement to the press.
“NSAC will strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to confirm Merrigan as
quickly as possible and looks forward to working with her and Secretary
Vilsack on the pressing farm, food, fuel and rural issues of the day.”
Merrigan is an assistant professor and director of the Agriculture, Food
and Environment graduate school programs at the Friedman School of
Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston.
Prior to joining the Friedman School, Merrigan held a variety of
policymaking jobs at the state, federal and international level. To read
more about Merrigan, click here: deltafarmpress.com/legislative/merrigan-usda-0224/.
To read more about the NCAC, click here: sustainableagriculture.net/.
Source: Delta Farm Press
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Audit Shows Soybean Checkoff A Sound
Investment
Farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) and
the soybean checkoff met last week to set funding priorities for the
2010 fiscal year. USB directors from across the nation reviewed soybean
checkoff programs, discussed strategic approaches for 2010 checkoff
programs and set funding levels to protect soybean farmers’
investments well into the future.
An early highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of the 2008 annual
audit results. This audit gave the checkoff a clean bill of health on
USB financial records for the 2008 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30,
2008. The independent audit’s objective is to test the financial
records of the board to determine if the financial position and
activities of the board are fairly presented. Such annual audits of the
board have been done since USB’s inception.
“The outstanding audit results reflect the seriousness with which our
dedicated volunteer checkoff farmer-leaders take their
responsibilities,” says Chuck Myers, USB chairman and a soybean farmer
from Lyons, NE. “The entire board takes great pride in these results
and remains committed to spending farmer invested checkoff dollars in
the wisest manner possible.”
Another highlight of the meeting included Dr. Gary Williams of the Texas
Agribusiness Market Research Center at Texas A&M University presenting
the results of USB’s return-on-investment study that is performed
every five years. The independent study showed the soybean checkoff
program returns $6.40 in additional profit to U.S. soybean farmers for
every checkoff dollar invested.
To read more about the soybean checkoff, click here: www.unitedsoybean.org/pressroom.
Source: United Soybean Board
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Crop
Insurance Decisions
During the next couple weeks, many farm operators will
be finalizing their crop insurance decisions for the 2009 crop year.
March 15 is the deadline to purchase crop insurance for the 2009
planting season. Producers need to analyze how crop insurance fits into
their risk management and grain marketing strategies for the coming
year, particularly the biotech yield endorsement (BYE) crop insurance
option and insurance coverage under enterprise units.
The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced that the BYE corn
crop insurance policies will be available to producers in Minnesota,
Iowa and other corn-producing states on more biotech corn hybrids for
the 2009 growing season. The BYE endorsement will provide a crop
insurance premium discount of approximately 12-15% to corn producers who
plant eligible biotech corn hybrids in 2009. Corn producers with an APH,
RA or CRC crop insurance policy for 2009 can qualify for BYE, provided
that a minimum of 75% of the corn acreage on a given farm unit is
planted to one of the qualifying corn hybrids. Growers who use BYE must
comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refuge acre
requirements for the biotech corn hybrids. Growers who are interested in
BYE for their 2009 corn crop insurance should contact their crop
insurance agent for more details.
The USDA RMA has increased the federal subsidy for purchasing APH, CRC
or RA insurance coverage under enterprise units, which combines all
acres of a crop in a given county into one crop insurance unit. Many
producers now use optional units, which allow them to insure crops
separately in each township section. There are some substantial premium
savings by switching from optional units to enterprise units. However,
producers need to be aware of the limitations of insurance coverage with
enterprise units. Producers should contact their crop insurance agent to
better understand insurance coverage with enterprise units.
Other than BYE and enterprise units, there are very few other changes in
the various types of crop insurance policies for 2009, as compared to
last year. To learn more, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/ag-issues/0224-crop-insurance-deadline/.
By Kent Thiesse
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Best
Soybean Seeding Rates
Selecting the appropriate seeding rate for a soybean
production system can affect optimal yield potential, economical net
returns, as well as some negative factors including potential for
lodging.
Choosing the optimal seeding rate for a given production system should
be based on several factors: desired plant population, soil type,
planting date and maturity group.
Other factors that affect optimal seeding rates include roughness of
soil, type of planter or drill, percent germination of seed and in some
cases seed vigor.
To view the main criteria and/or situations that can be used to help in
selecting an optimal seeding rate, click here: deltafarmpress.com/soybeans/seeding-rates-0225/.
By Trey Koger, Mississippi State University,
Extension Soybean Specialist
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Soybean Green Stem Disorder Still A
Mystery
There's a soybean disorder – makes fuel go
vamoose. Why Green Stem's a bit like Grinch from Doc Seuss! Ripe pods on
green stems in the combining season? Now, please don't ask why. We
don’t know the reason. It could be the weather or bugs or a blight. It
could be, perhaps, the variety's not right. They'll clog up your
combine, slow work to a crawl. Your patience, you'll find, is two sizes
too small.
Green stem is a mysterious malady that causes soybean stems to stay
green and moist after the pods and seeds are fully ripe. It doesn't
happen every season, but when it does, “it's a real aggravation,”
says John Hill, Iowa State University plant pathologist. It slows down
the combine, eats up diesel fuel and sorely tries your patience, turning
harvest into a “grinchly” grind.
To read more about green stem disorder, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/green-stem-mystery-0201/.
By Liz Morrison
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Upper
Southeast Soybean Acreage To Increase
Soybean acreage across the upper Southeast is likely
to have a modest increase in the 2009 season as farmers continue to try
and figure out the fine balance between production costs and expected
commodity prices for the upcoming growing season.
In North Carolina, the largest soybean-producing state in the Southeast,
growers battled drought conditions much of last year, but still
harvested a record crop.
“The 2008 North Carolina soybean crop was the highest production on
record, according to UDSA NASS statistics, at more than 55 million
bushels and surpassed the old mark of 52.5 million bushels achieved in
1982,” says Charles Hall, executive director of the North Carolina
Soybean Growers Association.
“The 2008 crop was also a benchmark year for production dollar-wise,
because we saw the value of soybean production exceed $500 million,”
adds Hall. “We averaged 33 bu. to the acre – near the record state
average yield of 34 bu./acre set in 2004.”
To read more about soybean production in the southeast, click here: southeastfarmpress.com/soybeans/soybean-production-0225/.
By Roy Roberson, Farm Press Editorial
Staff
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Take Part In
Corn & Soybean Digest Poll
Please cast your ballot in the latest Corn &
Soybean Digest (CSD) quick poll. The most recently posted
question is: What's your biggest concern as you enter the 2009
planting season?
Cast your vote on CSD's home page at: cornandsoybeandigest.com/.
(The poll question is just to the right of the “What’s New” top
section of the Web site.)
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Check Out New Corn Weed Control
Guide
Want a fast breakdown of which herbicides will control
or suppress your problem weeds? Then visit Corn & Soybean
Digest’s interactive 2009 Corn Weed Control Guide. It can
formulate your weed control program with a few clicks of your mouse.
Just visit www.cornweedcontrol.com. From
there, you’ll be able to click on your most troublesome weeds and
within seconds have a breakdown of preplant, pre-emerge and postemerge
herbicide offerings. Plus, there’s an easy-to-follow weed control
identification guide.
So don’t wait, check out www.cornweedcontrol.com now.
This year’s guide is sponsored by DuPont.
Source: Corn & Soybean Digest
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Commodity
Classic To Welcome Secretary Vilsack
Illinois Soybean Association members head to
Grapevine, TX, this week for the annual Commodity Classic. Members from
four commodity groups (soybeans, corn, wheat and sorghum) gather each
year to discuss current industry issues and set policies for the next
year. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will speak during the general
session on Friday, Feb. 27. For more information about the events
happening at Commodity Classic, visit www.commodityclassic.com. For
more information about ISA, click here: www.ilsoy.org/index.php.
Source: Illinois Soybean Association
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Correction To
Six-Ft. Soybean Story
In the Feb. 12, 2009 issue of the Soybean
E-Digest, I wrote a story about a soybean grower from Nebraska who
grew beans more than 6 ft. tall and yielded 89-bu./acre yield. As soon
as the story was sent out, I heard back from several readers that the
nutrient analysis cited in the story for the poultry litter used on that
field seemed excessive.
It turns out that I made an error when writing the story. The correct
nutrient analysis should have given in lbs./acre, not lbs./ton. I have
since made the correction and the revised, corrected article is now
posted online at: enews.penton.com/enews.
As always, you're welcome to write to me if you have concerns or
questions about this newsletter or have ideas on topics you’d like to
see me write about for future issues. When writing, please let me know
your name, where you farm, what your comment is and whether or not I
have permission to use your comment in a future Soybean E-Digest
newsletter. You can contact me (John Pocock) at: john.pocock@penton.com.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your readership, think
spring – and farm on!
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