Conquer Your Soybean Costs - 3

Farmers aren't ready to give early-planted soybeans the cold shoulder after a late frost damaged young plants this year, which forced some to replant a limited number of acres.

Producers who've adopted the practice to maximize yield and revenue potential say the reward far outweighs the risk.

"We did have damage to some early-planted soybeans, but it will remain part of our program," said Robert Wieland, of Laura, Illinois. "It really gives you a yield benefit."

Wieland is part of a growing trend of farmers to seed soybeans as soon as soil temperatures and conditions are fit, which means before or at the same time as corn. That typically occurs in April, or possibly earlier, in many soybean-producing states.

The longer plants absorb sunlight, the more vegetative growth and flowering occur. More nodes typically equal more flowers, which mean more pods and soybeans.

A recent multistate study led by Shawn Conley, of the University of Wisconsin, indicates soybean yields decrease 0.2 to 0.5 bushels per acre per day when seed is planted after April 25. Soybeans that are planted in mid- to late April will typically yield 5 to 10 bushels per acre more than those planted in mid-May, Conley and farmers who plant soybeans early agreed.

"It's free yield you don't have to do anything to get," he explained.

FREEZE WARNING

However, planting soybeans early isn't without risk, as many farmers found out this year.

Young soybeans are vulnerable to freeze damage when plants open up their cotyledons and expose their growing point to the air shortly after emergence. Several hours of freezing conditions can damage or kill seedlings, reducing stands and yields.

From May 9 to 11, overnight temperatures plunged below freezing throughout much of the Soybean Belt. Lows ranged from 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit in all or parts of states from Nebraska to Virginia and as far south as central Kentucky, DTN Senior Ag Meteorologist Bryce Anderson said. The Delta and Mid-South were spared.

The odds of a Mother's Day weekend freeze are low, he said, but not uncommon. In this case, cold air in the Canadian Prairies dived south thanks to a shift in the jet stream.

"Early planting is a potential benefit for soybeans," Anderson continued. "But, for crops that are freeze sensitive, there needs to be an appreciation that cold weather can cause damage in a short period of time."

Four of Wieland's soybeans fields planted April 4 totaling 240 acres were partially damaged by frost. Cold soils delayed emergence in these fields until a few days before the Mother's Day weekend freeze. Under ideal conditions, soybeans can germinate in two days.

About half the plants died, Wieland said. He interseeded the damaged fields planted in 20-inch rows at 80,000 seeds per acre, about half the normal rate, to compensate for the loss.

"The frost initially hurt, but replanted soybeans

are chest high," Wieland reported in late August. "The potential looks unbelievable."

GOOD START

Conley recommended farmers in the Midwest wait until April 20 to plant soybeans to reduce the odds of frost damage. Even for farmers without a goal to plant soybeans early, that still occurred this year because of favorable field conditions.

In Illinois and Iowa, for example, 18% and 9%, respectively, of the intended soybean acres were in the ground by April 26. By May 10, the percentages ballooned to 43% in Illinois and 71% in Iowa.

Nearly 84 million acres of soybeans were planted this year in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Though pockets of frost damage occurred, Conley and three Iowa State University (ISU) Extension crop experts said it wasn't widespread enough to deter farmers who believe in early planting to abandon the practice.

Here are several reasons:

-- University and industry studies generally indicate early-planted soybeans generate more bushels and revenue. A five-year, multilocation Beck's Practical Farm Research study published on Sept. 1 shows soybeans planted between April 16 and May 15 at the optimum seeding rate of 100,000 seeds per acre averaged $146 more per acre in revenue than soybeans planted between May 16 and June 15 at an optimum seeding rate of 125,000 seeds per acre.

-- Most seed companies offer replant programs to cover seed costs.

-- Crop insurance is available to cover replanting costs as long as planting doesn't occur before set start dates in each state.

-- Soybeans are tough. Seed treatments provide additional protection.

"Soybeans are quite resilient ... and early planting has its benefits," said Mark Licht, ISU Extension cropping systems specialist. "There is still hesitation with ultra-early planting (early April through late March), which can lead to lost plant stands and slow emergence."

FARMER PERSPECTIVE

Joshua Rausch, of Paullina, Iowa, claims his soybean yields increased by at least 5 bushels per acre or more when he started planting in April several years ago instead of mid-May. Rausch's crop was in the ground by April 24 and emerged by the May cold snap.

Rausch said he "lucked out" that seedlings likely weren't mature enough to sustain damage, and there was enough heat radiating from his black dirt to help. If a plant's cotyledons are still closed, that can protect it from freezing temperatures for several hours.

"It was a big concern," Rausch said of the freeze. "There was a little damage, but not enough to warrant replanting.

"I know there will be a year when I have to replant, there's no doubt about it," he continued. "I feel the benefits have far outweighed negative impacts so far."

Matthew Wilde can be reached at matt.wilde@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @progressivwilde

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