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Minnesota soybean yields expected down vs 2016

An agronomist in southwest Minnesota expects soybean yields to be lower than a year ago.

Harmon Wilts with Dekalb/Asgrow says while some fields look extremely good, there’s a lot more variability compared to 2016.

“The biggest variable you’re going to find is the soybean seed size.  If you look at this year, June was cool, but August we had a lot of rain.  And our soybeans in general are a little bit shorter than they normally would be.  So you kind of look for a little bit less yield.”

He tells Brownfield iron chlorosis was prevalent earlier in the growing season, and more recently white mold has become a major problem.

“But in general I think the soybeans are going to be pretty acceptable because they’re big.  When we’re walking plots, the bean seed sizes are large.  Yes, the bean plant height isn’t quite as tall.  But with some of the new genetics we’re still seeing four-bean pods and so forth.  I think (yields) will definitely be above average, but it won’t be what last year was.”

 

Minnesota soybeans averaged a state record 52.5 bushels per acre in 2016.

For this year, the USDA is forecasting an average yield of 49.

 

 

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