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August rains give hope to Indiana soybeans

Rain that fell in July and August may have come in enough time to save much of Indiana’s drought-stressed soybean crop. 

Purdue Extension soybean specialist Shaun Casteel says, “We’re looking at filling out those pods that were retained earlier in the season; and in the last few days filling out the seeds that go beyond the normal seed size of 3,000 seeds per pound in Indiana.”  With continued showers farmers are looking at around 2,500 seeds per pound.  He says the larger seed size could provide a slight increase in yield.

According to USDA’s August crop production report – yield estimates for Indiana’s soybean crop was 37 bushels per acre.  But if the rainfall continues, Casteel says growers could see a slightly higher figure at harvest.