Soybean growers use a variety of sustainable farming practices, and a recent survey from USB showed that four out of five are implementing at least five different sustainable practices in their farm operation. The most used sustainable practice was crop rotation, with 93% of farmers responding they reporting they do so. Nutrient management and reduced…
There is an ever-growing amount of technology and data available to help farmers be more efficient and more profitable. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know how to manage and use all the data available to make the best decisions. Check out THIS ARTICLE from USB sharing the stories of two farmers and their…
The marketplace for data-driven products and services is seeing rapid evolution in the field of agriculture. The benefits for farmers are already well-recognized. For starters, data helps farmers recognize trends with greater certainty, it can help validate decision-making and it leads to improved production practices immediately or over time. It also enables farmers to streamline…
This post is the third article in a series reporting the results of a research project funded by the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association through the soy checkoff to begin to answer the question “are fungicide applications a smart investment?” To do so, the project examined the cost of each product coupled with the application…
In North Carolina soybeans are often thought of as purely a rotational crop and not one that produces large profits. With over a million acres in the state, soybeans occupy 25% percent of the field crop acreage in N.C. Average yields in the state are about 35 bushels per acre, only 70% of the national…
This article is the second in a series about research the NCSPA conducted with funding from soy checkoff in 2014 and 2015 to investigate fungicide application, timing and effectiveness. This post presents the results of the research projects. It is important to review the findings in the context of the weather in 2014 and 2015.…
For soybean growers who are double-cropping this year, harvest of the small grain crop and time to plant beans is nearly here. CLICK HERE TO GET ADVICE from Virginia Tech extension agronomist, David Holshouser, Ph.D., on planting and management practices to maximize the potential of double-crop soybeans.
“Should I apply a foliar fungicide and if so, when?” is a question North Carolina soybean growers struggle with every year. Application of a foliar fungicide can help reduce disease pressure and protect yield potential, but they are costly. With low commodity prices, growers are looking to reduce costs. Are fungicides a smart investment? To…
Ways to be safe on the farm are always a good reminder, especially as the season starts to swing into high gear. Click on THIS ARTICLE for some helpful information to keep in mind to ensure farmers stay safe.
Based on the shortage of VI and VII seed this year, some growers may find themselves planting an earlier maturing variety than they are accustomed to. This may seem scary but really, managing these earlier varieties isn’t that different from managing late maturing varieties. Here are a few things to know about managing early varieties.…