TEN STEPS TO HIGH YIELD AND PROFITABLE SOYBEAN

PRODUCTION

The University of Georgia

Extension Soybean Team

• Rotate land so that soybeans and other legumes are planted on the same site no more often than once every two years. Rotation can help reduce soil borne diseases, nematodes, weed seed, and help build soil organic matter.

• Good rotation practices have been shown to increase yields of all crops by 5-10 percent.

Step 1 – Rotation practices

Step 2. Lime and fertilize according to soil test recs.

a. Get test for each field.

b. Follow recommendations.

c. Apply soybean inoculant for fields not planted to soybeans in the last three years.

Step 3. Use appropriate tillage to get deep rooted soybeans

a. For Coastal Plain soils, use in-row sub-soiling.

b. For conservation tillage, use strip tillage and/or traffic control to reduce soil compaction.

Step 4. Use good cultural practices

a. Plant between May 10 and June 10.b. Plant in row widths of 10 to 36 inches.c. Plant about 10 seed/ft. (36” rows)d. Plant seed 1.0 to 1.25 inches deep in moist soil.e. If irrigating, apply water

i. During vegetative growth if leaf wilt occurs by mid-day.ii. During reproductive growth (R1-R5) to supplement rainfall so that soybeans receive 2.25 – 3.0 inches of water weekly

Step 5. Planting recommendations

a. Plant a recommended soybean variety for your location and planting situation.

b. Consider UGA Official Variety Trials.

c. Consider soybean variety characteristics and field situation.

d. Consider planting date.

SOYBEAN VARIETY PERFORMANCE (2001-2006)(Average Yield (bu/A) over Years by Maturity Groups)

Maturity Group UGA OVT3 CP Locations

1

Waller FarmWashington

County 2

MG V 59.2 33.8

MG VI 57.3 36.0

MG VII 55.4 35.1

MG VIII 55.0 31.9

1 Irrigated, 30” rows2 Non-irrigated, 36” rows

STEP 6. Control weedsa. In reduced tillage systems, do everything possible to

obtain a weed-free seedbed at planting.b.b. Use a soil-applied residual herbicide.Use a soil-applied residual herbicide.c.c. Apply postemergence herbicides when weeds are 2-4” Apply postemergence herbicides when weeds are 2-4”

tall.tall.d.d. Be on the lookout for glyphosate and ALS-resistant Be on the lookout for glyphosate and ALS-resistant

Palmer amaranth (pigweed).Palmer amaranth (pigweed).e.e. Refer to 2007 GA Soybean Production Guide of Pest Refer to 2007 GA Soybean Production Guide of Pest

Control Handbook.Control Handbook.f.f. UGA Weed Science Website (www.gaweed.com)UGA Weed Science Website (www.gaweed.com)

Confirmed ALS-Resistant Confirmed ALS-Resistant Palmer amaranth locationsPalmer amaranth locations

Step 7 Control insects

a. Velvetbean Caterpillars—apply Dimilin/Boron treatment at R3 growth stage.

b. Stinkbugs—scout and treat as needed.

c. Lesser cornstalk borers—scout and treat if 10% or more of stand is destroyed.

d. Other foliage feeders—scout and treat if populations exceed economic threshold levels (30% defoliation prebloom, 15% post-bloom).

Step 8. Control Asian Soybean Rust and other foliage diseasesa. Scout field bi-weekly prior to first bloom,

and weekly after then to monitor for soybean foliage diseases.

b. Pre-bloom, apply foliar fungicide if A. Rust is detected in your fields or very close by. (View UGA Soybean Website for current Rust status. Stay alert for local news).

c. Post-bloom (R1-R6), apply foliage fungicide if A. Rust as detected in your region or local area (e. g. in UGA/USDA sentinel plots). Specific choice of a fungicide will be determined in part by confirmed proximity of disease to your field (See 2007 GA Soybean Production Guide for fungicide rec.).

Step 8. Control Asian Soybean Rust and other foliage diseases

Step 9. Harvest soon after maturity

a. Plan for harvest as soon as seed moisture dries to 13 percent or less.

b. Adjust combine to match crop and field situation.

Step 10. Use year round marketing strategy

a. Know breakeven production costs.

b. Know that best market prices usually don’t occur at harvest time.

c. Forward contract (up to half of estimated production ) to take advantage of favorable early season prices.

d. Use put or call options as needed.

Preliminary Comparison of 2007 ReturnsWhat Does This Mean?

Price Yield IncomeVariable

CostsNet

Return

Corn 4.00 85 $340 $188 $131

Cotton .60 700 $420 $375 $45

Peanuts 400 2,500 $500 $395 $105

Soybeans 7.00 30 $210 $131 $79

Wheat/Cotton 4.25/.60 55/575 $579 $495 $84

Wheat/Soybeans4.25/7.0

055/20 $374 $270 $104

Sensitivity Analysis of Soybeans, Non-Irrigated

NET RETURNS ABOVE VARIABLE COSTS PER ACREVarying Prices and Yield (Bushels)

-25%22.5

-10%27

Average30

+10%33

+25%37.5

$6.00 $ (2) $ 25 $ 43 $ 61 $ 88

$6.25 $ 4 $ 32 $ 51 $ 69 $ 98

$6.50 $ 9 $ 39 $ 58 $ 78 $ 107

$6.75 $ 15 $ 45 $ 66 $ 86 $ 116

$7.00 $ 21 $ 52 $ 73 $ 94 $ 126

Sensitivity Analysis of Soybeans, Irrigated

NET RETURNS ABOVE VARIABLE COSTS PER ACREVarying Prices and Yield (Bushels)

-25%41.25

-10%49.5

Average55

+10%60.5

+25%68.75

$6.00 $ 56 $ 106 $ 139 $ 172 $ 221

$6.25 $ 67 $ 118 $ 153 $ 187 $ 238

$6.50 $ 77 $ 131 $ 166 $ 202 $ 256

$6.75 $ 87 $ 143 $ 180 $ 217 $ 273

$7.00 $ 98 $ 155 $ 194 $ 232 $ 290

For more information, see:

2007 Georgia Soybean Production Guide, or

UGA Soybean Website

http://commodities.caes.uga.edu/fieldcrops/soybeans

or contact your local county Extension Office

Prepared by:Glen Harris, Crop and Soil SciencesKerry Harrison, Biological AG EngineeringRobert Kemerait, Plant PathologyEric Prostko, Crop and Soil SciencesPhillip Roberts, EntomologyPaul Sumner, Biological AG EngineeringJohn Woodruff, Crop and Soil Sciences