We all know that it’s very important to plant soybeans in fields that will allow for their full genetic potential to be expressed. A lot of time has been spent over the winter properly selecting the soybeans, treatments and crop plan necessary to reach maximum yields. However, all great plans can be derailed by a few uncontrollable weather or social distancing events. Don’t allow all the hard preparation to be thrown out of cab for no reason.
If the planting season becomes challenging, here are some steps to take to stay in control of the season. Have a GREAT and SAFE soybean planting season.
- Seed Genetics:
- Know where a given soybean should not be placed, in case plans get changed.
- Know what population is needed based off the date and soil condition.
- Double-check the type of protection your seed treatment is providing.
- Review each company’s replant policy.
- Track the planting date.
- Herbicides:
- Know if your burndown herbicide will have a negative interaction with your soybean crop.
- Double-check what weed species your pre-paid herbicide residual will cover.
- In some situations, a soybean can emerge in fewer calendar days than corn. Many high-quality soybean residuals require pre-emergence to minimize crop damage and to minimize aggressive weed populations.
- Fertility:
- If using a starter fertilizer system for soybean, double-check all the dos and don’ts with the product.
- Make sure systems are properly calibrated from product to product (corn to soybeans).
- If applying sulfur, make sure its sulfate, not elemental sulfur.
- Field Maps:
- With the social distancing of 2020, its more important now than ever for your custom application supplier to be aware of all your field and projected crops.
- Provide a three-ringed binder with all your maps with as much detail as you can.
- They will need to know when the field was planted, how many acres and the herbicide trait with the crop.
- Communication:
- Now is a great time to review details with your local CCA.
- Inform your suppliers and network about how you would like to communicate.
- Inform your employees about how you would like them to interact with suppliers this spring.
- Conduct safety meetings with your employees.
- Services:
- Proactively contact equipment suppliers and determine how their business is going to operate this spring and how to contact them for equipment servicing and part needs.
About the Author: Todd Steinacher
Steinacher is an ISA CCA Soy Envoy alum and currently supports ISA on agronomic content as well as serving as an Illinois CCA board member. He was recently awarded the 2020 IL CCA of the Year & the 2021 International CCA of the Year. He has over 15 years agronomic experience, currently working with AgriGold and GROWMARK previously. Steinacher has an associate degree from Lincoln Land Community College, a B.S. in agronomy and business from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in crop science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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