Soybeans on Trial

BY MATTHEW WILDE

There are multiple ways soybean farmers can reduce costs and earn more money, and the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) On-Farm Network® has the data to prove it.

Enhancing the profitability of producers is the primary goal of the On-Farm Network, director Scott Nelson says. Network regional agronomists and analytics experts work with farmers and industry stakeholders statewide to conduct onfarm replicated strip trials to evaluate and validate production practices.

Nelson says data from several long-term soybean trials — seed population, fungicide, tillage, etc. — shows farmers can save money without sacrificing yields and possibly even enhance them.

As many farmers struggle to mitigate losses or stay in the black due to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, Nelson contends production research is vital to the bottom line.

“We think in terms of lowering the cost to produce a bushel of soybeans,” Nelson says. “There are two ways to do so: reduce unnecessary inputs or significantly increase yield. Farmers statewide are doing just that by participating in On-Farm Network research trials and utilizing results.”

Data from hundreds of studies dating back to 2005 is available at iasoybeans.com under ISA Research.

Farmers can’t control U.S. foreign policy or end the trade war with the world’s top soybean consumer, but they will make plenty of decisions that will directly affect 2019 soybean revenue potential.

Dave Lubben, an ISA member from Monticello, says he and other farmers can’t afford to spend one extra dime on soybean inputs or production practices that don’t pay.

The grain and cattle producer has conducted several types of On-Farm Network research trials, using data to make cropping decisions. Participation is a must, he says.

“I can do my own research using my soil types and management to generate reliable data — every field is a test plot,” Lubben says.

Iowa Soybean Association member Dave Lubben of Monticello conducts multiple On-Farm Network replicated strip trials each year to hone cropping practices.

Crop protection

The crop protection industry regularly promotes fungicides and insecticides to farmers as means to increase yield and revenue, Nelson says. But do the inputs pay? The answer varies, according to trial results. The ISA On-Farm Network and Analytics Department have developed a fungicide decision tool, found on the ISA website, to help farmers decide whether to apply. A fungicide application typically costs about $20 per acre. Add another $3 to $5 per acre to mix in an insecticide.

With soybean prices at 10-year lows, Nelson says input decisions are vital to plant and financial health.

“The fungicide tool combines locations from more than 100 different trials to help farmers make better decisions on when a fungicide would be profitable,” he says.

Lubben conducted a fungicide trial with the On-Farm Network this year comparing a 5-gallon-per-acre application rate compared to 2 gallons.

His crop protection salesman suggested the increase, which would add $1 per acre to the cost, thinking it would pay during an unusually wet year.

Instead of spending more over every acre, Lubben decided to test out the theory. Results were not analyzed as of early November.

“We could see where leaves looked better and were more intact in the strips with the higher amount, but I didn’t see a difference on the yield monitor,” Lubben says. “Inputs better pay, or we could lose even more money.”

Seed population

Seed is a significant cost in soybean production at $60 to $70 per bag, Nelson says. Farmers have conducted numerous research trials to find the optimum seeding rate without sacrificing yields.

In many cases, participants found they could save thousands of dollars by planting less.

By studying research data, ISA member Craig Heineman of Ogden backed off his seeding rate from 160,000 to 150,000 per acre to 140,000.

“Our yields have been very good and we’re thinking of backing it off even more,” Heineman says, a long-time On- Farm Network trial participant. He’s also done nitrogen, tillage and fertilizer work.

By planting 10,000 to 20,000 fewer seeds per acre, Heineman estimates a $5,000 to $10,000 annual savings. Bags contain 140,000 seeds.

ISA conducted trials this year studying seeding rates of 100,000, 130,000 and 160,000 seeds per acre, utilizing variable rate technology. Unofficial results show higher plant mortality at a higher seeding rate.

“Not only would a farmer spend more on seed but would also lose more plants,” says Brett McArtor, ISA regional agronomist. “There’s definitely more interest in trials that can save money.”

Tillage

Iowa State University research indicates that no-till soybeans yield like tilled oilseeds.

Yet, many farmers will decide for various reasons to spend $20 to $30 per acre to till the ground for the 2019 crop. “The cost per bushel to produce soybeans is significantly less for farmers that don’t have to pay for tillage passes,” Nelson says. “To understand the value of tillage in Iowa soybean production, we are conducting a series of trials comparing no-till soybeans with soybeans grown under full tillage.” The average yield difference in six past tillage trials is 1.8 bushels per acre.

“Even if a tillage practice out yields no-till soybeans, there’s usually a net wash to the bottom line,” says Drew Clemmensen, ISA regional agronomist.

Contact Matthew Wilde at mwilde@iasoybeans.com.