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Narrower rows, more seeds recommended on late soybeans

A soybean specialist says there are management practices that might add yield to late-planted soybeans. Bill Wiebold at the University of Missouri tells Brownfield soybeans planted the third week in June have likely lost a quarter of their potential yield, depending on what happens in August.

“Obviously it’s hard to predict that,” Wiebold told Brownfield Ag News Friday. “If we have a reasonable August with some moisture and not so hot, then we get pretty good yields.”

The limiting factor is that late-planted soybeans have less opportunity to capture sunlight, said Wiebold. He recommends planting in narrow rows of 15 inches or less.

“As we get past the first of July and if we have availability for a drill,” said Wiebold, “it probably would pay to go to 7.5-inch rows with a drill.”

Wiebold also recommends increasing seeding rates by 30,000 per acre and treating seeds with fungicides, as well as sticking with the normal soybean maturity group unless planting later in July.

“Three days delay in planting delays maturity about a day,” he said.

Planting after July first is a bet against an early frost. “Yes, it is,” said Wiebold, “and sometimes you get caught.”