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Keys to early planted soybeans

Field conditions and plant population are two keys to successfully planting soybeans early.

Iowa State University Extension cropping systems specialist Mark Licht says seed can go in the ground once soil temps are at 50 degrees and rising.

“We should get some pretty quick emergence on those soybeans, so paying attention to temperature and what that forecast looks like.”

He tells Brownfield seeding rates for early planted soybeans should be 125,000 up to 140,000 per acre.

“And that may seem like a fairly large range, but if you think about it if you get into some cooler, wetter conditions maybe, that’s a situation where you may want to be closer to 140,000. If you’re in warmer soils, you can probably get away with maybe 125,000.”

Licht also recommends seed treatments that feature a fungicide but says an insecticide is only important when the environment warrants it.