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Soybeans planted and coming up—still time to enter the Illinois Yield Challenge.

What a spring! After a long and cold winter, we had the second coldest April on record. Some areas of Illinois are still wet, and others are still dry. It seems like the precipitation is stuck and continues to give more of the same wet/dry weather. Even with the moisture challenges we have made record progress planting both corn and beans. Both crops have emerged and are responding to the warmer temperatures and increased sunlight. While some areas are still waiting for better planting conditions, most of the state has crops growing.  

Early planting for soybeans has received a large amount of attention for the last couple years. Rusty Thomas, a DSM for DeKalb/Asgrow in central Illinois, has helped a few growers plant soybeans earlier than their usual target dates. He also has growers working to reduce their planting populations. When planting lower populations and seeding earlier it’s critical to protect the seed, so most acres were planted with treated seed. 

Thomas has seen a larger than expected bean leaf beetle population causing damage to non-treated bean fields. He also observed that some areas with spotty rains haven’t had enough moisture to activate residual herbicides and are experiencing weed escapes. “My growers are focused on increasing soybean yields. They have adopted hard chemistries because they have worked and are changing their agronomy practices, fertility and trying biological products to make the push to 100-bushel soybeans.” Each grower has unique needs, so he tailors their agronomy program to compete in the Illinois Soybean Associations 100-Bushel Challenge.

The variability in growing conditions this year has allowed one grower to plant the same variety on three different dates—late March, mid April and late April—to evaluate the benefit of early planting in his area. Others are adding biological or biostimulant products to in-season herbicide or fungicide applications and comparing the “with and without” for improved yield, dry-down or standability.

The Illinois Soybean Association’s Yield Challenge has attracted attention across the state. The competitive nature of the 100-Bushel Challenge has encouraged growers to show their strengths in the farming business. The Side-by-Side contest has grown because most growers are trying new products every year and this competition allows them to verify yield and claim “bragging rights”. In the Side-by-Side growers compare standard practices (control plot) with improved practices (test plot). The grower with the highest percentage yield increase in their region receives an award. The Double-Crop Competition is for growers who double-crop soybeans after wheat or another crop harvested that same season. This is available to all regions of the state.

Don’t miss your chance. Be certain to complete the Interest Form on line and review the details of each contest at https://www.ilsoy.org/yield-challenge