News

Poor soybean seed germ affecting stands, yields

A soybean researcher warned of possible seed germ problems this spring, and now says his prediction of poor stands has come true.

Shawn Conley with the University of Wisconsin Soybean Program told Brownfield in February and again before planting time that farmers need to read the seed tags and watch for seed germ ratings below 80 and adjust planting rates accordingly.  Conley says after emergence, the problems were obvious. “I’ve had many reports from across the state and actually, even in some of my own trials where we look at the seed germ and adjusted accordingly because that seed germ was low.”

Conley says the 2024 seed crop finished the growing season under stress and was harvested with very low moisture levels, often under 9%.  “Go back and revisit Agronomy 101. Look at that seed tag and if we’re below that 85% getting down to 80%, we just need to adjust those low seeding rates up to be able to compensate for some of that reduced seed vigor and quality.” Conley says, “This was just not an issue for Wisconsin farmers, this was a Midwest issue. Seed companies are sourcing seed from Michigan. They’re sourcing seed from South Dakota, Iowa, southern Minnesota.”

Conley says he’s had several farmers contact him about their poor-looking soybean stands, and a couple have admitted not reading the tags and paying attention to the seed germ ratings before planting.

Conley says in a good year with 90% germ, about 15% of the yield can still be lost with poor weather and lower seeding rates commonly used to prevent white mold.  He says not compensating planting populations for low germ can subtract another three to four bushels per acre in yield.

AUDIO: Shawn Conley discusses soybean observations with low germ and poor plant populations with Brownfield’s Larry Lee.