Soybean seeding rates affect the bottom line

By Jennifer Bremer

High prices may push farmers back to planting more soybeans and, with high input costs, it is important to be as efficient as possible.

Iowa State University Extension soybean agronomist, Palle Pedersen told producers at the 2008 Commodity Classic that it is important to use proper seeding rates and management to reach good economic return.

"We may hear people start to say they are using a soybean-corn rotation since soybeans are going to compete more for acres this year," he said.

Pedersen stressed the importance of diversity on grain farms and how important it is to not rely on one crop or one hybrid.

"High costs mean higher risks. You can't manage all of the variables, but it is important to manage the ones that you can," said Pedersen.

Since yield is more important now than it has ever been, he stressed key management issues.

Pedersen said planting dates, especially in Iowa, need to be pushed up, since his research shows an 84 percent probability of better yield if the planting date is pushed up to the last week of April for the southern two-thirds of the state and May 1 for the northern one-third of the state.

He warned of some problems that may arise if the planting date is moved up too early, including bean leaf beetles, seedling diseases, late spring frost, crusting or sudden death syndrome.

"This is where seeding rate also becomes important," he said.

Previous rates were all over the board. But he now recommends pushing to a lower population since equipment has been improved and varieties are more hearty than they have been in previous years.

"When lowering the seeding rate, it is important that your management decisions are timely since you want every plant to run at its maximum capacity," he said.

Pedersen said the soybean plant will adjust its growth and development based on the space available to grow. The final number of plants standing at harvest is what is important.

When the plant population rate is 200,000 at planting, only about 140,000 are present at harvest. Seed quality is very important when reducing the seeding rate. Particularly this year it is important that we take that into consideration so we don't get a too low of a stand.

Pedersen also recommends narrower rows. His research shows that the 15-inch rows on average yielded 66.5 bushels per acre while the 30-inch rows yielded 64 bushels per acre.

"You don't need to increase seeding rate when row spacing decreases as long as you use a planter, but a narrow row spacing can handle a higher population because of a lower plant mortality," he said. "Previously, the opposite was thought to be true."

Pederson did admit there is so much variation in different states, and even within one state that he recommends talking to an expert before making drastic changes since the seed bed, climate and seed quality all have such an impact on proper management.

Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 515-833-2120 or by e-mail at jbremermaj@hotmail.com.

3/31/08

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6 Star Midwest Ag

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Date: 3/27/08

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