This past “winter” has become a source of both joy and worry for many of South Dakota’s producers.  Joy because we barely had to dawn our winter survival gear, fall seeded crops are growing nicely, and for those of you calving, the weather couldn’t have been better.  However, we were not the only ones enjoying the incredibly mild winter this year and that has been a source of worry to many.

Soon after the soybean plant develops its first true leaves, we often see yellow areas or “spots” in the fields as we cruise by on the highway. Upon closer inspection we note the leaf veins are green while the tissue between is yellow or chlorotic. In later growth stages the soybean plant can be stunted compared to areas not affected. These symptoms are characteristic of Iron Deficiency Chlorosis or IDC.

“My soybean yields haven’t kept up with my corn yields.” How many times have we heard that statement? In fact it is true. Corn yields have climbed by about 40% over the last 25 years whereas soybean has climbed only about 30% over the same time period.  In some cases, the difference is even greater. Inadequate production practices – including soil fertility - get the blame as soybean is often treated as a second partner after corn.

The Prospective Plantings report shows South Dakota growers still intend to plant a high percent of acres to soybeans. The intended 4.3 million acres in 2012 matches the intentions level from a year ago. The price ratio of corn to soybeans had been favoring corn acres until recently as soybean futures have increased sharply. Growers planted 4.4 and 4.5 million acres in 2000 and 2001, respectively, in South Dakota.

Many producers  prepaid crop inputs for tax purpose last fall and early winter,  some of which have been delivered and spread, i.e. fertilizer, and others which you are financing with the supplier until delivery. Nevertheless, cost will be higher for non-land expenses for the 2012 crop.

Three sites will be selected across eastern South Dakota to measure soybean yield response, carbon storage, pest control and economic benefits of various farming systems in a five-year study. This article, and others in a series entitled South Dakota Soybean Checkoff Research, will identify and briefly describe some of the research projects funded by checkoff dollars that are conducted by South Dakota State University.

Producing soybeans is no easy task.  Planting large monoculture crops can result in heavy pest infestations.  Within soybeans there are several pests that can infest the fields, reducing both the quality and quantity of the crop.  

Unseasonal warm weather this spring has many producers potentially planting much earlier than normal. However, do not forget that stored grain as you head to the fields this spring! Even with the ideal harvest conditions stored grain needs to be checked for spoilage, molds, and insects.
Grain moisture content must decrease as the grain temperature increases to store that grain for an extended period of time.