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5 Top Planting Tips To Help Boost Soybean
Returns
If April’s wet soil conditions continue into May and
June, compaction and/or inadequate seed-to-soil contact during planting
may cause yield reductions for soybean farmers, says Bill Wiebold,
University of Missouri (MU) Extension agronomist.
Mark Hanna, an Iowa State University (ISU) Extension engineer, agrees
that during a wet year, soybean growers need to pay close attention to
the machinery they use to avoid compaction problems and still obtain
good soil closure over seeds.
To help farmers overcome 2009’s potential soybean planting challenges
and ensure optimal returns, Wiebold and Hanna provide the following
top-5 tips:
- Practice no-till. “For soybeans, I would advise tilling as
little as possible,” says Wiebold. “Even a disk or field cultivator
can compact the soil enough to prevent the tap root from being able to
grow through the compacted zone.”
No-till planting should also help boost the bottom line, points out
Hanna. “Number one, soybeans don’t see much yield response from
tillage,” says Hanna. “Number two, you can really lower your input
costs by going no-till.”
However, when planting soybeans into formerly flooded corn fields, some
tillage may be necessary, he adds. In this situation, growers should
first scout the field for problems, remove any debris and then use a
field cultivator or disk to mix the soil if sand and clay deposits have
accumulated or to level off rills prior to planting, says Hanna.
- Pay Attention to planting depth. Soybean seeds are more
sensitive to planting depth than corn seeds are, cautions Wiebold.
“You’ll need to plant soybeans deep enough to reach soil moisture,
but not too deep that seeds won’t have enough energy to emerge,” he
explains.
“Row units typically have better depth control than drills and in many
cases better slot closure than other planting mechanisms,” adds
Wiebold. “If your planter can help ensure good emergence, then you can
save money on seed costs.”
The appropriate seed depth can vary slightly depending on soil moisture,
soil type, soil temperature and planting date, points out Hanna. For
example, late-planted seed in drier or sandier soils can be planted
deeper than early planted, wetter soils that tend to crust. However, for
most situations, seed depth should be between 1¼ and 1½ in, he
adds.
The three final top tips are: keep an eye on downpressure, stop soil
crusting and monitor seed delivery problems. To read more about these
planting tips, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-soybean-planting-tips/.
By John Pocock, Corn & Soybean
Digest
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Swine Flu
Outbreak Impacts Crop Markets
Swine flu has already had an impact on U.S. crop
markets, says Darrel Good, a University of Illinois (U of I) Extension
marketing specialist.
“In the first trading session following the announcement of incidences
of swine flu in Mexico and the U.S., corn, soybean and wheat futures
declined sharply,” says Good. “Market participants reportedly are
concerned that the threat of swine flu will reduce pork demand,
stimulating further liquidation of hog numbers and resulting in reduced
feed demand.”
Such negative reaction, Good notes, is typical with episodes that create
so much uncertainty.
“Russia reportedly announced restriction on pork imports from Mexico
and selected origins in the U.S.,” he says. “Restrictions by other
importers would not be surprising.
“Health experts indicate that swine flu is not transmitted to humans
through properly prepared pork,” adds Good. “The hope is that the
initial knee-jerk reaction will be followed by more thoughtful
responses. The extent of reported cases of swine flu will be important
in determining the depth of demand worries.”
Good says a number of other fundamental factors continue to influence
crop prices. For soybeans, the Census Bureau reported that the domestic
crush during March totaled 144.7 million bushels, 7.2% smaller than the
crush of a year earlier.
To read more about the weekly grain outlook from the U of I, click here:
cornandsoybeandigest.com/ag-issues/0427-swine-flu-impact/.
By Bob Sampson, University of Illinois
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Who Saw This
Coming?
The market has been anticipating a switch to soybeans.
A near-historic low soybean ending stock projection, a drought-reduced
South American soybean crop and continued Chinese buying has driven the
nearby old-crop soybean futures contract price above $10/bu. But
harvesttime futures price is a dollar lower.
The impending switch from corn and spring wheat to soybeans had
strengthened corn and spring wheat futures prices to encourage farmers
to plant those crops if at all possible. But the swine flu scare has
taken some of the incentive out of corn price.
The next two to three weeks will give direction to the commodity markets
as the yield potential of the Great Plains winter wheat crop is
evaluated; spring wheat and corn crops are planted…or not planted; and
the global impacts of the swine flu become more fully known.
To read more from Woolverton’s most recent grain outlook, click here:
cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-swine-flu-unpredicted/.
By Mike Woolverton, Kansas State University
Extension
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Early
Planting IS Important In Iowa
No matter where you are in Iowa, early soybean
planting will always give you greatest potential to achieve the highest
yield. However, there are cases where early planting will yield the same
as planting in mid-May. This is mostly associated with establishment
problems such as soil crusting if you do too much tillage and you plant
just before a heavy rain. Early planting or the optimum time to plant
soybean is the last week of April for the southern two-thirds of Iowa
and the first week of May for the northern one-third of Iowa.
A target day for producers is to get soybeans planted by May 15. After
that day, you start losing a significant amount of yield potential every
day no matter where you are in the state. The yield you lose depends on
your yield potential. A higher yielding field is losing more yield
potential per day than a lower yielding field. At a higher yield
potential you are losing a significant amount of yield already after May
8.
To read more about the importance of early planting in Iowa, click here:
cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-iowa-early-planting-important/.
By Palle Pedersen, Iowa State University
Extension
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Monsanto,
DuPont Spar Over RR Trait
Two heavyweights in the seed trait business are at
odds on how Roundup Ready (RR) technology is being used in new
herbicide-resistant soybeans.
In regulatory filings earlier this month, Monsanto accuses DuPont’s
Pioneer Hi-Bred of unauthorized use of the company’s RR trait.
Monsanto claims that Pioneer is stacking the RR trait with Pioneer’s
Optimum GAT trait in soybean varieties. “Monsanto has not authorized
stacking our first-generation Roundup Ready technology with other
glyphosate-tolerant traits,” says Mimi Ricketts, a Monsanto
spokesperson.
Pioneer has said that Optimum GAT trait would be available for
commercial sale in 2011. “This approach will combine Pioneer’s
proprietary Optimum GAT trait with the Roundup Ready trait in elite
Pioneer soybean genetics, demonstrating high yield results and
efficacy,” says Jerry Harrington, a spokesman for Pioneer.
Monsanto has requested that Pioneer stop its use of the stacked
glyphosate-tolerant trait in soybeans. Pioneer would not comment, citing
the confidential nature of the company’s business agreements.
To read more about the RR trait controversy, click here: farmindustrynews.com/crop-protection/0410-monsanto-soybean-technology/.
By Mark Moore, Farm Industry
News
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'Natural'
Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Protect Soybeans From
Aphids
An invasion of soybean aphids poses a problem for
soybean farmers requiring application of pesticides, but a team of Penn
State entomologists thinks a careful choice of nitrogen-fixing bacteria
may provide protection against the sucking insects.
Soybeans are legumes, plants that can have a symbiotic relationship with
nitrogen-fixing bacteria – rhizobia – and therefore do not need
additional nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Each type of legume – peas, beans,
lentils, alfalfa – has its own rhizobia.
“Soybeans are from Asia and so there were originally no N-fixing
bacteria that would colonize soybeans in U.S. soils,” says Consuelo De
Moraes, associate professor of entomology. “The rhizobia had to be
transferred here.”
The soybean aphid is also not native to North America. This pest only
began to infest soybean fields about 10 years ago but are now fully
established pests requiring pesticide applications to avoid the loss of
as much as 40% of the crop. The researchers investigated the
relationship between the type of rhizobia colonizing soybean plants and
the plants' infestation with the aphids.
“Our results demonstrate that plant-rhizobia interactions influence
plant resistance to insect herbivores and that some rhizobia strains
confer greater resistance to their mutualist partners than do others,”
the researchers report in the journal Plant and Soil online.
To read more about the potential for using rhizobia to help protect
soybeans from aphids, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-natural-nitrogen-fixing-bacteria/.
Source: Penn State University
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When To Inoculate Soybean Seed In
Iowa
Today, most fields in the Midwest have experienced
soybean in the rotation, likely increasing the population density of
Bradyrhizobia bacteria in the soil. Improved inoculant technology
coupled with higher commodity costs, ease of application, and low-cost
inoculant products have many growers reconsidering the use of
inoculants.
I have since 2003 conducted numerous inoculation trials every year to
assess new inoculants on the market. Overall, I have not seen a
consistent response to use of soybean inoculant in fields in Iowa with a
history of soybean. Current recommendations for states of the Upper
Midwest are to use an inoculant if fields have no history of soybean
production in the past three to five years, soil pH is below 6.0, sandy
soil, low organic matter or have been flooded for more than a week.
This year, we need to consider the fields that were flooded last spring.
Some of these fields were flooded over an extended period of time and
plants were injured or died. These fields may need to be inoculated
because the anaerobic conditions may have reduced the level of
Bradyrhizobia bacteria in the soil.
To read more about when it makes sense to inoculate soybeans in Iowa,
click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-inoculate-iowa-soybean-seed/.
By Palle Pedersen, Iowa State University
Extension
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Soybean Hotline Offers Michigan Growers Crop,
Pest Updates
Michigan soybean growers can access timely crop- and
pest-management information throughout the growing season via the
Michigan Soybean Hotline, a toll-free phone service sponsored by
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and the Michigan soybean
checkoff program.
The hotline can be accessed at 888-201-9301. Growers will hear a
recorded greeting directing them to select from six subject areas:
insects, diseases, weeds, agronomic information, soybean cyst nematodes
and the Michigan Automated Weather Network. The updates and
recommendations for each topic area will be recorded by MSU Extension
specialists.
To read more about the hotline, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-soybean-pest-updates/.
Source: Michigan State University
Extension
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Glyphosate
Stewardship Guide Available
Isolated fields of glyphosate-resistant weeds are
likely showing up in Iowa. While absolute “certification” of
field-wide glyphosate resistance weed populations is currently underway,
the occurrence of glyphosate resistance was inevitable – certain
members of any weed population have the genetics to fight whatever
strategy is used against them. The occurrence of isolated
glyphosate-resistant common waterhemp plants in Iowa was documented in
1998.
But we can still get ahead of the resistant weeds. We need to think like
this: It’s not broken and we need to fix it so it stays that way. By
realizing the inevitable potential for the problem early and taking
appropriate action, producers can create management plans that keep
glyphosate-resistant weeds from advancing.
Globally, 15 weed species have evolved resistance to glyphosate, and it
looks like the trend is increasing.
Resistant weeds can be in a field for up to two years before they are
discovered. That is why it is important to fix the problem before you
have it.
To read more about glyphosate resistance management, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0428-glyphosate-stewardship-guide/.
By Mike Owen, Iowa State University
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Iowa's Early Planting And Soybean Disease
Considerations
Blessed by good weather, crop planting in Iowa has
begun smoothly. During the April 20 crop teleconference, Extension field
agronomists reported good progress of corn planting and some soybean
plantings before April 20 around Iowa.
While early planting increases our chance for maximum yield, we should
also keep in mind that the risk of some soybean diseases is associated
with early planting. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is one of them.
In 2007, SDS was widespread in Iowa. Many of those infested fields will
return to soybean after being rotated with corn last year. Early
planting in these fields will likely have a higher risk of SDS.
New research data suggests that the critical stage for the SDS pathogen
to infect soybean plants is before emergence of the germinated seed.
Infections occurring at early growth stages are more likely to produce
foliar symptoms late in the summer. Soybeans planted early in cool soil
have slow germination and emergence, which prolongs the contact period
between pathogen and soybean, promoting infection.
To read more about soybean diseases associated with early planting in
Iowa, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-early-planting-soybean-disease/.
By X.B. Yang, Iowa State University
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Minnesota Rolls Out B5 On May
1
Starting May 1, Minnesota trucks and other vehicles
will burn cleaner fuel thanks to a state requirement that diesel fuel
contain 5% biodiesel in most diesel fuel sold in the state.
In 2005, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to require the
blending of biodiesel into diesel fuel. The initial amount of biodiesel
was 2%, with a tiered increase going to 5% this year, and then to higher
percentages in future years. The goal is to reach 20% biodiesel by 2015,
as part of a larger shift in Minnesota toward more clean-burning,
homegrown renewable fuels.
To read more about Minnesota’s B5 rollout, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/e-digest/0429-minnesota-burns-clean-fuel/.
Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
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Edamame Takes
Root In U.S.
Edamame is that tasty treat American consumers once
found only in Japanese restaurants or Asian specialty markets. But in
recent years, the bright green soybeans have become a staple in big
grocery chains and even McDonald's salads.
And that could spell opportunity for some U.S. soybean growers.
Melissa's/World Variety Produce, a large specialty vegetable marketer in
Los Angeles, reports edamame is a top-10 item among its 1,000 products.
The company's 12-oz. refrigerated packs (edamame in pods) have jumped an
average of 10% in sales each year since they were introduced in 2001.
“It has been extremely popular and I think we will continue to see
strong growth as it becomes more and more mainstream,” says Robert
Schueller, director of public relations at Melissa's. In addition to the
pod trays which retail for $3-3.50, Melissa's sells shelled edamame,
plus organic alternatives.
Frozen edamame sales are on the rise, too.
To read more about the jump in food-grade soybean sales, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/0401-edamame-soybean-opportunity/.
By Karen Bernick, Corn & Soybean
Digest
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Follow Ed
Usset's Blog.
Ed Usset, columnist for Corn & Soybean Digest,
keeps a running account of marketing information that you can now plug
into by going to his blog: www.edsworld.wordpress.com.
Once there, you’ll learn more about futures and options, much like his
students at the University of Minnesota. Don’t panic, but you’ll
even be able to take quizzes, just like you did when you were in
school.
Source: Corn & Soybean Digest
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Want A CSD Editor To Visit Your
Farm?
When it’s time to get out to the field with your
newest crop production innovation, Corn & Soybean Digest
(CSD) editors would like to be right there with you to see what
new or different ideas took shape during the winter. If you or someone
you know has built or modified machinery, we’d like to hear from you.
No idea is too big or too small. We’re interested in machinery
that’s been built from scratch, or several pieces of equipment that
have been torn down and re-assembled as a single unit, or simple
modifications to existing equipment. It’s always interesting to see
anhydrous ammonia applicators, planters, sprayers and tillage tools that
farmers have constructed to help them farm better, bigger or more
efficiently.
Also, we’re interested in any cost-cutting ideas that you’ve been
doing to stay profitable. For example, have you been involved in any
machinery sharing ventures, group input buying clubs or innovative
marketing channels?
We can’t promise that we’ll get to every farm, but we promise to
try. If you have an idea you’d like to share, please send an e-mail to
CSD@csdigest.com or call Managing
Editor Susan Winsor at (952) 851-4662, or click on the following link to
enter your project: insidepenton.com/research/sg/csd09shopproject.htm.
Source: Corn & Soybean Digest
Editors
|
Take Part In
Corn & Soybean Digest Quick Poll
Please take part in an anonymous Corn & Soybean
Digest (CSD) quick poll. The most recently posted question
is: What is your main limiting resource?
Answer this question and view quick poll results 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.)
Source: Corn & Soybean Digest
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Soy-Shirt
Satisfaction
In last week’s Soybean E-Digest newsletter, I
related having doubts over the eloquent claims of comfort from wearing
clothing made from soy fabric and requested readers to write to me if
they had bought or tried clothing or linen made from soy-based
byproducts. No one has yet to respond to confirm my suspicions that
clothing made from soybean-based materials might prove to be a bit
coarse, but one reader, Jean Knakmuhs, recently wrote to me with this
positive response:
“I am on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) Board of
Directors,” writes Knakmuhs, from Lucas, MN. “Our soybean office has
been providing us with a source for soy-based apparel for a couple of
years now. I first wore a soy-polo shirt while working in the MSGA
booth at Farmfest last summer. Wow--all I can tell you is that you're
really missing out, if you haven't tried one yet! “...luxuriously
soft and
comfortable...” are most certainly true!’”
The supplier that MSGA uses to purchase soy-polo shirts is: Judy
Mettler, JM Promotions, 227 E Main Street, Suite 205, Mankato, MN
56001. For those of you who may be interested in purchasing these
shirts, you can contact Judy via phone at: 507-387-5887 or e-mail her
at: judyme@hickorytech.net.
I called her this week to ask about their availability and she said the
soy-polo shirts are one of her top sellers, very “smooth and silky –
not coarse at all.”
If any of you have a comment about this or any other topic related to
soybeans, I’d be glad to hear from you. 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
comfort, think safety – and farm on!
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