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Growing soybeans that out-compete weeds

Weed management continues to be a top priority for soybean growers.

University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Lisa Behnken says weeds are becoming more difficult to handle.

“We have problems with herbicides that may not be working as well, or we’re looking at systems that perhaps allow water hemp to sneak through at the end of the season.  So an approach that we’re trying to take is this Strategic Farming and growing soybeans that can out-compete the weeds.”

She tells Brownfield the idea is to grow a crop that’s part of an overall weed control program.

“Looking at an entire system.  You can’t just rely on herbicides.  You can’t just rely on tillage or planting dates.  So how do we put this whole system together so that the soybeans become part of that weed control plan?  Give them the competitive edge against some of these weeds.”

Behnken says growing a more competitive soybean might involve changing planting dates, populations, or row spacing to choke out weeds earlier.

She acknowledges possible drawbacks to those practices, including increased costs and the potential for disease pressure.

Minnesota Extension is hosting a series of Strategic Farming workshops addressing out-competing weeds, beginning in Alexandria January 17th.