To learn about new opportunities to double-crop soybeans and the latest best management practices available, plan to attend one of four 2-hour events. The short field tour will end with a meal.
- August 15, Marion, 10:30 a.m.
- August 15, Effingham 4:30 p.m.
- August 16, Wyoming 10:30 a.m.
- August 16, Walnut 4:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE to register and learn more about the upcoming field days.
Double-cropping soybeans after wheat or other crops is a popular rotation that is more profitable than a single-crop system. It is practiced from Texas to the Atlantic Coast and as far north as Michigan and Ontario. There are opportunities to improve profitability of wheat in the rotation and yield and profitability of soybeans in the rotation by adopting the latest best management practices.
The key to the wheat/double-crop soybean rotation is to maximize the profitability of both crops, not just one. The quickest way to increase soybean yield is to plant earlier, and growers can achieve that by adopting the Early Wheat Harvest System. Briefly the early wheat system can be described as:
- Plant wheat earlier on the farm in the fall: 3 – 5 days gain on soybean planting
- Plant an early wheat variety: 3 to 5 days gain on soybean planting
- Harvest at 20 – 22% moisture and dry: 3 to 5 days gain on soybean planting
Then, after wheat is harvested, immediately plant soybeans when soil conditions are right and apply the same best management practices you apply to full-season soybeans.
The approach to double-crop soybeans is changing rapidly; we realize that soybean yields can improve when growers focus on timely (earlier) planting, crop management and harvest, much like for full-season soybeans.
Hope to see you are one of these events. And bring a friend or family member.
These free field days are funded through the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program with support from corporate sponsors
About the Author: Illinois Soybean Association
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