More soybean acres in 2017 ?

Some growers are planning to increase their soybeans acres in 2017 , because they feel soybeans may be more profitable next fall . With the current price scenario , this may be true .

For some growers , this will mean two years of continuous soybeans , rather than rotating the land to corn .

Crop rotation , on average , increases grain yield around 7 to 10 percent . In stressful years , continuous corn yields may be reduced as much as 30 percent or as little as zero if the growing season is favorable .

By rotating crops on land from year to year , we see less insect and disease pressure . When soybeans are grown in back-to-back years , soybean cyst nematode counts increase . Diseases such as phytophthora root rot and brown stem rot are also more likely to appear .

When growing soybeans in back-to-back years , it ’ s a good idea to use a seed treatment , select a soybean variety that has a good disease package , and select different genetics than what was planted the past year . This should help minimize disease pressure .

If the field has had a history of broadleaf weed pressure , growers may want to try the new Roundup Ready 2 Extend soybeans that are stacked with tolerance to Glyphosate and Dicamba . This should be a good one-two punch

for controlling grass and broadleaf weeds . The formulation is designed to minimize volatilization of Dicamba .

One final note – fields were unusually wet this fall , so we could easily see more issues related to soil compaction in the 2017 growing season .

One disease that often is associated with soil compaction is phytophthora root rot , so consider selecting soybean lines that have a good package for controlling this disease . •

Dave Schwartz

Certified crop advisor Gold Country Seed

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FARM-RITE EQUIPMENT , INC . Authorized Bobcat Dealer ��

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Farm Horizons Farm Horizons 2/17 | Page 7

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More soybean acres in 2017 ?

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