STRATEGIES FOR MEY SOYBEAN PRODUCTION UGA Soybean Team Glen Harris, Soil Science Kerry Harrison, Bio & Ag Engineering Bob Kemerait, Plant Pathology Eric Prostko, Weed Science Phillip Roberts, Entomology Nathan Smith, Ag & Applied Economics John Woodruff, Soybean Culture

Maximum Economic Soybean Yield (MEY) Strategies MEY involves getting maximum return on investment MEY is generally related to yield, but always involves getting an economic return on investment for yield increase Strategies for MEY may vary depending on cropping system, irrigation, equipment, season, management, market prices, and input costs

Some MEY Factors to Consider for 2008 Crop Demand/Outlook Production Costs Vs Returns Yield Goals Kinds of Inputs Needed Best Management Practices

2008 SOYBEAN OUTLOOK, DEMAND World oilseed demand is growing rapidly. Soybeans are competing with other crops for acreage. Quality vegetable oils in high demand, and trading at near record high prices. Biodiesel production is absorbing surplus vegetable oil stocks.

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2008 SOYBEAN OUTLOOK - GA ACREAGE Another percent increase in acreage As much as 75 percent of total state soybean acreage will be doubled cropped As much as 25 percent of acreage will be irrigated percent of acreage will be planted on land where soybeans have not been planted in the last years

Winter/Spring Crops Planted Ahead of 2008 Soybeans and Other Crops Acres* Wheat/Small Grains475,000 Winter Grazing115,000 Onions and Other Vegetables40,000 Total600,000 *Typically, about half of winter crop acres are followed by soybeans in Georgia.

Soybean Cultural Systems Used by Georgia Farmers* ** Percent Full Season Conventional Tillage15-20 Full Season No Till/ Strip Tillage10-15 Double Crop Conventional Tillage5-10 Double Crop No Till/Strip Tillage65-70 Early System Culture<5 * About 75 percent of Georgia soybeans are double cropped (NASS, 07 Statistics) ** About 20 percent of 2007 Georgia soybeans were irrigated

2008 SOYBEAN OUTLOOK - GA PRODUCTION COSTS Dryland Costs-$ /A Irrigated Costs-$ /A Big Increases for Energy and Fertilizer Costs Intensive management to maximize economic yield only adds about 10% to costs, but can increase yield 5-25 %.

EXPECTED GEORGIA SOYBEAN RETURNS/A ABOVE VARIABLE PRODUCTION COSTS 1. Dryland ProductionEstimated Variable Costs/A* Estimated Returns Over VC** Conventional, 25 bu/A$172$53 Conventional, 35 bu/A$182$138 Strip Till, 25 bu/A$177$47 Strip Till, 35 bu/A$187$133 * From 2008 Georgia Crop Enterprise Cost Analysis ** At a market price of $9/bu

EXPECTED GEORGIA SOYBEAN RETURNS/A ABOVE VARIABLE PRODUCTION COSTS 2. Irrigated Production Estimated Variable Costs/A* Estimated Returns Over VC** Conventional, 50 bu/A$252$198 Conventional, 60 bu/A$294$261 Strip Till, 50 bu/A$235$215 Strip Till, 60 bu/A$277$278 * From 2008 Georgia Crop Enterprise Cost Analysis ** At a market price of $9/bu

NET RETURNS ABOVE VARIABLE COSTS PER ACRE Varying Prices and Yield (Bu./Acre) -25%-10%Average+10%+25% Price22.5 bu/ac27 bu/ac30 bu/ac33 bu/ac37.5 bu/ac $8.00 $ 3.45 $ $ $ $ $8.50 $ $ $ $ $ $9.00 $ $ $ $ $ $9.50 $ $ $ $ $ $10.00 $ $ $ $ $ $10.50 $ $ $ $ $ $11.00 $ $ $ $ $ Soybeans, Non-irrigated, Strip-Tillage Sensitivity $177 Variable Cost

NET RETURNS ABOVE VARIABLE COSTS PER ACRE Varying Prices and Yield (Bu./Acre) -25%-10%Average+10%+25% Price $8.00 $ $ $ $ $ $8.50 $ $ $ $ $ $9.00 $ $ $ $ $ $9.50 $ $ $ $ $ $10.00 $ $ $ $ $ $10.50 $ $ $ $ $ $11.00 $ $ $ $ $ Soybeans, Irrigated, Strip-Tillage Sensitivity $235 Variable Cost

MEY Strategies - Varieties 1.Suitable/Adapted Soybean Varieties -Does it have high yield potential? -Does it have needed pest resistance? -Does it have good lodge, seed quality and seed shatter resistance? Find out, check these resources: a. OVT Variety Test Data b. UGA Recommended Soybean Varieties c. Table-Characteristics of Recommended Varieties

Root Galling From Root Knot Nematode Feeding Planting RK Resistant Soybean Varieties Is Important for Sandy Soils.

Should You Plant Early or Late Maturing Varieties? Study Official Variety Trial test results, but also consider your farm situation

Should You Plant Early or Late Maturing Varieties? Some Factors to Consider: Planting Date Tillage and Planting Equipment Ability to Impose Timely Harvest Seed Availability

MEY Strategies – Tillage & Row Spacing 2. Tillage – Use minimum tillage where possible. For Coastal Plain soils, use strip tillage with in-row subsoiling to disrupt soil hard pans. 3. Row Spacing – Plant in row widths that will allow for canopy closure by first bloom. - for early varieties or late plantings, best row widths will usually be inches -for tall growing, favorable environments, best row widths will be usually inches

In-Row Subsoiling Benefits Soybean Growth and Yield on Sandy Coastal Plain Soils

Good row spacing? One that allows for full canopy by first flower. Will vary with variety and planting date.

MEY Strategies – Seeding Rate 4. Seeding Rates For favorable soil environments and tall growing varieties, plant thousand seed/A (about 10 seed/ft for 36” row width) For very early varieties, or late plantings, or marginal soil environments, plant thousand seed/A (about 12 seed/ft for 36” row widths) Plant seed inches deep in moist soil. Do not plant soybean seed in hot, dry soil.

Good Seeding Rate? One That will Give 3-6 Plants/Row Foot (36” rows). Usually, 8-10 Seed/ft Will Provide These Populations.

MEY Strategies – Soil pH & Fertility 5. Lime/Fertility (Base applications on soil test) -Lime, as needed to maintain soil pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.5). -Maintain soil P and K at medium+ to high test levels. -Use viable inoculant to insure nitrogen fixation. -For sandy, Coastal Plain soils, apply ¼-½ lb/A of boron at beginning pod fill. -For certain Atlantic Flatwoods soils with high soil pH, foliar manganese may be of benefit. -When double cropping, give special attention to meeting K needs.

NUTRIENTS (lbs) REMOVED PER ACRE P2O5P2O5 K2OK2O Wheat, 60 bu3320 Soybeans, 40 bu

NUTRIENTS (lbs) REMOVED PER ACRE P2O5P2O5 K2OK2O Wheat, 60 bu3320 Wheat Straw, 1.5 T*8108 Soybeans, 40 bu * 2008 K 2 O value in wheat straw, $38

MEY Strategies – Weed Control 6. Weed Control -Assess weed situation, make weed map for each field. -Use “burn down” herbicide to destroy existing weeds ahead of planting. -For RR system, apply 1-2 glyphosate applications on timely basis, include appropriate PO herbicide if glyphosate tolerant/resistant weeds are present. ___________________________________________ See your county agent or Georgia Pest Control Handbook for appropriate “Tank Mix” herbicides

Timely PO Herbicide Application Is Crucial To Good Weed Control.

PO herbicide application this late = poor performance and yield.

MEY Strategies – Insect Control 7. Insect Control -Plan weekly scouting program -watch for soil insects during seedling growth -watch for foliage feeding insects during entire growing season. Be prepared to treat if insects eat 30 percent or more of foliage during vegetative growth period, or 15 percent of foliage during reproductive growth period -Watch for pod-feeding insects, especially stink bugs. Be prepared during R3-R-6 to treat if one stink bug per 9 sq ft is found, or if one stink bug per 3 sq ft is found after R6. -If in Coastal Plain, apply Dimilin/boron foliar spray at R3 to protect soybeans from velvetbean caterpillars ____________________________________________________ See your county agent or Georgia Pest Control Handbook for appropriate control measures

Late-Season Foliage Feeding Insects Can Totally Destroy Soybeans, Especially in Southern Counties.

Watch for stinkbugs during pod fill. Treat if 1 per 3 foot of row is found. (36” rows)

MEY Strategies – Disease Control 8. Disease Control– Asian Soybean Rust -Know that Asian Soybean Rust is a major threat to Southeast soybean production. -Stay abreast of rust status in your area and on your farm. -During vegetative soybean growth stages,apply appropriate foliar fungicide if rust is found on your farm. -During reproductive growth stages (R1-R6), apply appropriate fungicide if rust is found in your area. ___________________________________________ See your county agent or Georgia Pest Control Handbook for approved control measures.

What We Have Learned About Soybean Rust HARD to find Can spread within a field rapidly, but doesn’t always do it! Can travel long distances Can severely reduce soybean yield Sentinel Plots/tracking very beneficial Fungicides work

MEY Strategies – Soil Moisture Management 9. Managing Soil Moisture Stress -Plant soybeans only in moist soil. -Plant early and late maturing soybean varieties to spread drought risks. -Use no-till or strip tillage to conserve soil moisture and to reduce water runoff. -If irrigating: 1. Irrigate ahead of planting if needed. 2. During vegetative growth, irrigate when soybeans show noticeable leaf wilt by late morning. 3. During reproductive growth (thru R6), irrigate when soybeans show noticeable wilt by late afternoon.

Planting Early and Late Maturing Varieties Can Spread Drought Risks and Optimum Harvest Time

Timely Irrigation Can Increase Soybean Yields to bu/A

MEY Strategies – Soil Moisture Management 9. Managing Soil Moisture Stress -Plant soybeans only in moist soil. -Plant early and late maturing soybean varieties to spread drought risks. -Use no-till or strip tillage to conserve soil moisture and to reduce water runoff. -If irrigating: 1. Irrigate ahead of planting if needed. 2. During vegetative growth, irrigate when soybeans show noticeable leaf wilt by late morning. 3. During reproductive growth (thru R6), irrigate when soybeans show noticeable wilt by late afternoon.

Time of Daily Wilting Can Be Used As Guide To When To Irrigate.

MEY Strategies - Harvesting 10. Efficient Harvest -Plan for harvest ASAP after seed dry to 13 percent moisture. -Try to avoid having green leaves or stems at harvest. -Make sure combine is serviced and adjusted to existing field condition. -Plant varieties of different maturities to spread out optimum harvest time.

Green leaves and stalks at maturity may be due to variety or stink bug damage or foliar fungicides.

What Other Issues/Concerns Should Be Considered? 1.Get crop insurance. 2.Forward contract to take advantage of current high market prices. 3.Rotate crops so that soybeans are planted on land no more often than one in two years. 4.Be active in issues affecting soybeans. (Join Georgia/American Soybean Association.)

Good Sources of Soybean Information UGA Soybean Web Site: Georgia Soybean Production Guide UGA Soybean Variety Test Bulletin Characteristics of Recommended Soybean Varieties (table) Georgia Pest Control Handbook Local County Extension Office