Earlier and earlier planting seems to be the trend, which greatly benefits soybeans says Bayer Crop Science Learning Center Manager Troy Coziahr:
“They are a different animal than corn, that is for sure, but there really isn’t anything to secret too magic about them. If we keep the weeds out of them, get them planted early, protect them with seed treatment fungicide and insecticide, usually around R3 tends to be pretty beneficial. I think in a lot of cases we are probably over planting. A lot of guys can back off a little bit on the seeds breaker. The other thing is, this is really the only thing that requires an investment if you are not set up this way, but that is narrower rows, particularly in this part of the state. It presents some challenges as you get farther north,” Coziahr states.
Fields with 30 inch rows and narrower tend to see a three to five bushel advantage consistently.