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Missouri farmer breaks soybean yield record again"Paying close attention to detail is important to farmers looking to increase yields. It all starts with selecting the right seed and keeping your plants healthy," said Missouri soybean farmer, Kip Cullers. 
By Jennifer Bremer Last year the agriculture community was shocked by a new world record yield for soybeans on Kip Cullers farm, but this year he outdid himself. The Purdy, Mo. farmer yielded 139 bushels per acre in 2006, which was amazing to many, but this year his yield was 154.7 bushels per acres--another world record. "We are willing to try new things and push the bar as far as possible to yield the best we possibly can," said Cullers. "Kip's record crop from last year proved most growers have yet to maximize the yield potential of soybeans," said Dale Ludwig, executive director and CEO of the Missouri Soybean Association. "This is a substantiated example of how intensive crop management results in high returns and unprecedented soybean yields." Culler's planted Pioneer 94M80 soybeans on an irrigated and conventionally-tilled field near Stark City, Mo. Cullers attributes an intensive plant management program to his success. "I treat soybeans as a valuable commodity and scout my fields at least once a day," he said. "Paying close attention to detail is important to farmers looking to increase yields. It all starts with selecting the right seed and keeping your plants healthy." He credits many scientists and specialists for assisting with his record and the fact that he is willing to try new things to push his operation to the next level. Not only did Cullers raise the world record yield, his entire soybean crop--550 acres--averaged 74 bushels per acre. The statewide average for Missouri in 2006 was 38 bushels per acre. Ludwig said the MSA decided to introduce the yield contest 12 years ago to better identify ways to improve profitability and production. "We want to be able to share the management practices with producers across the state to be able to push our state higher in the production of soybeans," he said. Missouri is currently fifth in the nation for soybean production. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt congratulated Cullers for his accomplishment and recognized him for taking advantage of the natural resources available in the state. "Agriculture is the biggest part of the Missouri economy and with the continual growth in renewable fuels we will see more growth in the corn and soybean production as well," said Blunt. Ludwig said the growth in biodiesel has led to continual research in increasing yields to produce more soybean oil. "The biodiesel industry alone has added two dollars to the price of soybeans over the past couple years," he added. Cullers co-owns and operates a diversified farm located southeast of Joplin, Mo. and has been involved in farming for more than 20 years. He currently manages more than 5,000 acres of corn, soybeans, green beans and greens--spinach, collard, kale, mustard and turnips. The farming operation is located in Missouri's fertile Newtonia red soil. The management practices used on his green beans and greens are passed on over to the soybean side and an intense irrigation system is used. Small amounts of water are applied to the soybeans every day instead of the normal practice of applying large amounts when needed. He also applies fungicide and insecticide treatments along with herbicides to give the plants the best possible opportunity to produce. Cullers isn't afraid to set his goals high for the coming years. He hopes to be able to break the 200 bushels per acre mark, but realizes it may take a few years. "Right now we need to concentrate on getting more plant mass to the soybean plant. This year's crop was a bit too tall and rank. With all the pods on those plants they need to be able to withstand the weight and stand upright," he said. With the help of scientists and researchers Cullers hopes to find the keys to unlock these secrets in order to help other farmers produce higher yields on less acres. Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 515-833-2120 or by e-mail at jbremermaj@hotmail.com. 11/19/07 Date: 11/15/07
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