Bottom-Line Basics

 

 

 

 

Production innovations have boomed in recent years, allowing soybean farmers across the United States to become more precise and profitable. However, new technologies and expensive inputs will not make up for skipping steps or inadequate planning. 

 

Chad Lee, Ph.D., extension professor and agronomist at University of Kentucky, advises farmers to keep a few basic practices in mind.

 

 

“Fertilizer bills can run up to $70 an acre. But if you soil test first and find you have adequate fertilizer, you may not need it. That’s a potential massive savings,” Lee says. Going a step further, he recommends applying fertilizer according to recommendations from land-grant universities. That’s what he uses as a baseline, as private labs may have a higher-rate recommendations.

 

 

“This is a situation where the more data you have, the better. Every year, we look at our variety trials and there are large swings in yield potential, so it’s worth it to spend some time really honing in on what will work well in your area,” Lee says. He recommends picking seeds that have been tested by multiple sources that aren’t sponsored by the companies themselves, such as university trials. Given the choice between a new variety that hasn’t been tested and an older one that has, Lee says to go with the one that has been tested.

 

 

“With some exceptions, soil conditions and the weather are probably more important than planting date. Whatever part of the country you’re in, when the calendar hits the first day you can plant soybeans, don’t head out and do it if the soil is cold or overly wet,” Lee says. If possible, he recommends waiting for the conditions to improve, as his studies found the best yields came from fields that were planted in good conditions.

 

By taking time to make sure the basics are covered, farmers can improve their margins by saving money and improving their yields.