of Double-Crop Soybean Yie ields Kelly Robertson, CPAg, CCA - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Key Agronomic Considerations

• f Double-Crop Soybean Yie

ields

Kelly Robertson, CPAg, CCA Precision Crop Services Benton, IL

When it comes to Double-Crop Soybeans, there are things we Can’t Manage or Control.

• Planting date. (Late or later)
• Temperature. (Hot or real hot)
• Water. (Too much or not enough)*
• Sunshine. (GDU’s)
• Frost. (Early or late)
• Harvest Date. (Depends on all the above)

Therefore, We Do What High Yield Managers Do

• Control the Controllable.
• Manage what you can manage.
• Negate what you can’t manage.

Our Double Crop Strategy Begins….

• While the wheat is still dormant in January and

February.

• By understanding that what we do to our wheat crop

after it breaks dormancy effects our double-crop soybean crop plans.

• When we view wheat and Double-Crop Soybeans as

a cropping system and not two separate crops.

4

Our Strategy: Control the Controllable

• The combine is not the CUE to plant beans. Soil conditions are!
• Yea, it’s late, but why plant into mud/standing water/concrete? What is a

couple more days going to matter?

• Apply fertilizer based on a yield goal. POTASH!
• If you don’t fertilize when you plant the wheat, then spread on the straw

at or after planting.

• Buy seed based on genetic potential and characteristics needed

for late planting, not price!

• What I want in a soybean for late planting: tall, bushy, late Group 4

through early 5, high Phytophthora rating, excellent emergence, likes high populations.

• Use treated seed. It’s a harsh environment.

Our Strategy: Control the Controllable

• Start Clean – Stay Clean with weed control.
• Keep the competition down. Insure the beans have every chance for

available water and nutrients

• DON’T get yourself in trouble for the next year. Watch those labels!
• You have one chance to get a stand. Drop enough seeds to

insure you will get a stand

• 200,000 Plus? How much? 250,000?
• Have a planter that can cut the residue, make a seed slot and

close the trench.

• This isn’t no-till into clean fragile residue in April/May/June.

You Have a Crop. . PROTECT IT IT!

• If scouting shows the need for an insecticide, herbicide
• r fungicide, be ready to spray!
• SCOUT! Don’t guess or apply because your neighbor –

retailer – horoscope - coffee shop said so.

• READ THE LABEL!
• Watch Cropping Rotation/Restrictions!