Soybean Field Rolling May Help You Increase Harvest Efficiency, Says Extension Agronomist
Would you like to increase your harvest efficiency by minimizing equipment damage, producing cleaner beans and increasing the number of acres you can harvest in a day? According to North Dakota Extension Agronomist Greg Endres, field rolling enables soybean farmers to do just that. In a webcast, Endres discussed the two options that offer the best times for field rolling.
The Evolution of Planting Equipment
Planting has come a long way from the days of scattering seeds on the ground and hoping for the best. Because there may be no activity more critical to the success of a soybean crop than optimal seed placement, technological advances are helping farmers maximize their effectiveness and efficiency. Here, an expert reflects on how planter technology has evolved and gives his predictions on what’s coming.
Planting the Seeds of Success
As a farmer and seed dealer, Jeff Olson knows the value of getting the most from each seed. As a way to maximize productivity, Olson, who farms near Madison, Minnesota, has used variable-rate planting technology for several years. “For me, it’s a better way to use resources,” says Olson. Technologies to help farmers maximize their productivity are becoming increasingly advanced and refined. Because getting soybeans and other crops off to a good start is vital, equipment manufacturers are paying serious attention to planter technology.
Planter Prep Pays Dividends
There are no do-overs for planting. Barring a weather disaster that forces a replant, you have one opportunity each year to get your soybeans in the ground. Proper planter preparations are important to make the most of limited planting time and to ensure valuable seed can take advantage of the best possible growing conditions. Optimize your planting window for better, more uniform emergence by taking time to make sure all planter parts are working properly before heading out to the field. Here are five planter-maintenance details to add to your list this season.
Want More Yield in 2016?
Can the national average soybean yield reach as high as 85 bushels per acre? Fred Below believes so. The University of Illinois crop physiologist documented more than 100 bushels per acre in field trials in 2015, as he continues to explore the “Six Secrets to Soybean Success.” “The bottom line is that a high-tech system works in soybeans as well as it does in corn,” says Below. “We have validated our six secrets.” Here are the six areas he evaluates, with funding from the Illinois soybean checkoff, and where soybean farmers can focus in 2016.
Begin Managing White Mold in Soybeans this Spring
White mold can be damaging for soybeans, and farmers should consider implementing management practices this spring in fields prone to the disease. Soybean farmers should use an integrated approach to white mold management, and some of the most effective practices are implemented in the spring. The key is to select practices that have been proven to reduce white mold if it occurs but will not reduce yields significantly if environmental conditions don’t favor white mold.