Benchmarking Soybean Performance Includes Review of Pre-plant Inputs

Challenges encountered by many Midwestern farmers in 2021 provided the opportunity for a strong review of pre-plant input decision in soybean fields, according to Advanced Agrilytics Precision Agronomist Erika Parker.

“The planting season started off reasonably well in many places this year, but a lot of customers saw those conditions become more challenging with cooler and wetter weather as soybeans began to emerge,” says Parker. “Struggles at emergence and plant health throughout the season are important to understand and consider as we evaluate soybean yield results and make plans for 2022.”

Those changing conditions made a difference especially in the early planted soybean fields that had more residue, according to Parker. She says that her customers have been able to see the impact playout all season long, as they evaluated residue management strategies, planting date options, and herbicide programs in soybean fields. It has also shaped a strong opinion for many of those same customers about the value of key soybean inputs.

“Soybeans are impacted by a lot of things we can’t see happening. Because of these factors, the value of fungicide, insecticide, and nematicide seed treatments can make a significant difference,” says Parker. “By the time we see impact from soil-borne pathogens it can be too late and there’s not a rescue tool available, so prevention through seed treatments can bring strong value.”

Advanced Agrilytics offers farmers a number of assessment tools post-harvest, to evaluate total performance at the sub-acre level. Learn more by reaching out to a local agronomy expert at www.advancedagrilytics.com or emailing info@advancedagrilytics.com.