The excessive wet weather over the last 30 days has delayed soybean planting (and everything else) for many growers. Whether you planned to plant your soybeans late because of wheat, or the weather has gotten you behind, keep these things in mind to maximize yields with late-season beans. Typically, planting in late June or July…
Certain parts of the state have seen 10+ inches of rain in the last 30 days (compared to our normal 3-4”). With the rain certain parts have seen in the last few weeks, it might have been tough to get in the field. But if you did get beans in the ground in between…
One of the next new things in the soybean world may be in-furrow applications. While this is still a relatively new practice, the idea of using fungicides, insecticides, or starter fertilizers is promising as it may help start the plant off to a faster growth trajectory. In-furrow products differ from seed treatments as they theoretically…
The 5+ inches of rain much of the state saw this week has put a hold on planting for a few days, but you can use this time to make sure you are ready to start (or continue) planting when things dry out. As Dr. Heinniger says, “Planting day is the most important day of…
This week we continue with our management decisions series. Last week we discussed seeding rate and how you may be able to save money by decreasing your seeding rates. If you missed it, catch up here. In part two of our management decisions series, we’re talking planting date. Before we get into some data, it’s…
As we gear up for #plant17, now is the time to start thinking about planting management decisions. At this point, most of you have selected varieties and purchased seed, so one of the next things to think about is soybean seeding rate. Conventional wisdom says planting high populations will ensure maximum yields, but actually, this…
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…
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…
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…
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…