Soil fertility is one of the most important components to soybean management, yet many growers only have a general idea of their soil nutrient needs. Since soybeans are thought of as rotational crop by many North Carolina growers, the importance of assessing and meeting the fertility needs of the crop is often overlooked. Regular and…
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With over 80% of North Carolina soybeans out of the field, the 2016 season is officially winding down. 2016 was a tough year for many with extensive drought in the west, and drought followed by flooding in the east. Thankfully, it sounds like statewide yields aren’t as bad as originally thought. NCDA’s November estimate has…
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Collecting soil samples is just the first step in a nutrient management plan. The results from those samples need to be reviewed and decisions made about what types of fertilizers should be added. While the soil test report can look overwhelming at first, the NCDA actually does a pretty good job of presenting results and…
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Proper variety selection is one of the first steps in producing a high-yielding crop. Each variety has specific strengths and weaknesses that make it more or less suited for a given environment. Maturity group, yield potential, disease tolerance, and herbicide technology are all important to consider when selecting a variety. Potential…
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The dicamba formulations XtendiMax (Monsanto) and Engenia (BASF) both recently received federal registration for use on Xtend cotton and soybeans. It is also likely that Enlist Duo (2,4-D formulation-Dow) will receive approval in the very near future for use on Enlist cotton and soybeans. These products in combination with their auxin-resistant varieties provide growers with…
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It’s almost that time of year again, meeting season time. Winter meetings are a place to pick up technical advice and pointers on crop inputs from Extension specialists and industry professionals. They are also a good time to visit with other growers in the area and learn from them as well. I would strongly encourage…
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Although 2016 brought some rough weather to many parts of the state, with extreme drought in much of the Piedmont and hurricanes and flooding in the east, some impressive yields still showed up. Based on the latest NCDA statistics, the statewide average yield was 35 bushels/acre, up from 32 bushels/acre last year. And although acreage…
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Meeting season is here and we have spent the last few weeks traveling around the state visiting with growers, listening to our top-notch Extension Specialists, and eating good BBQ. These county grain meetings are probably the best way to hear the about the latest research conducted at NCSU…
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As you gear up for 2017, it’s important to consider the estimated costs and returns per acre of the crops in your production rotation. Considering all variable and fixed costs to determine the true cost of production will help you make decisions for the coming year. The NCSU Ag-Econ department has the 2017 budgets for…
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If you heard Randy Dowdy at the Annual NC Commodities Conference this year then you probably heard him say: “Don’t HOPE what’s going on, KNOW what’s going on.” Do you know what’s going on in your soybean plants each year? Do your soils have adequate fertility and more importantly are the plants able to access…
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With the approval of both the dicamba and 2,4-D tolerant varieties and new formulations of the herbicides, growers are eager to take advantage of these new systems. While having the ability to apply both of these products in POST applications provides a “new” tool in our weed-management toolbox, it’s essential growers use these products with…
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A disclaimer before we start: We do NOT recommend planting soybeans back-to-back year after year. Planting any crop back-to-back year after year increases the potential for pests and problems to build up. You may not see these problems after one year, but eventually, something will become an issue…
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