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Four ways to maintain bean yields & the budget

A crops researcher at the University of Illinois says there are four ways farmers can maintain soybean yields without breaking the budget in today’s tight margin environment.

Dr. Connor Sible says utilizing equipment properly is a big step.

“We always think about planters and good uniform spacing and depth for corn, and I don’t know how much we translate that over to soybean.”  He says, “Then on the back end of the season, harvest.  Check those combine settings, make sure you capture as much of it as you can.”

He tells Brownfield maturity selection also matters.

“We’re seeing a lot of soybeans being planted earlier and earlier and our data is showing the earlier you plant, the longer the maturity group, you’re going to get a higher yield out of it.”  He says, “Sometimes those longer maturities put out an extra node or two and then across an acre that starts to add up.”

Sible says farmers need to realize the importance of pest management.

“I’m in high yield game working with Dr. Below.”  He says, “We love high yield.  Things that take yield away we don’t like, and you have to prioritize those input costs on pest control; largely think disease and weed management.”

He says their research has also shown seed treatments are a worthwhile input cost even in years with lower commodity prices.

AUDIO: Dr. Connor Sible – U of I