XtendFlex soybeans, which were approved for global sale in September 2020, will be an important tool to manage resistant weeds. The combination of tolerance to dicamba (XtendiMax®, Engenia® and Tavium®), glyphosate (Roundup®) and glufosinate (Liberty®) herbicides offers a unique triple option of choices to control a wide range of grasses and broadleaf weeds in soybean fields.
Farmers who have used Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans are generally happy with their yields but desire better weed control options. Most farmers with whom I’ve visited believe they must wait as long as possible to apply the post-emergence dicamba products with the Xtend system. This application was later than ideal, resulting in weed escapes and even off-target movement of the dicamba herbicide to neighboring soybean fields that weren’t tolerant to that herbicide.
Using the XtendFlex system will allow farmers to apply dicamba herbicide earlier. They can spray either pre-emergence or early post-emergence when weeds are at labeled heights and are most sensitive to the herbicide. This should also greatly reduce the likelihood of off-target movement of dicamba to nearby sensitive crops.
Another benefit of the XtendFlex system is that farmers can apply Liberty herbicides up to the R2 stage of growth if there are any weed escapes. It is still highly recommended that weed management programs start with a pre-plant or early pre-emergence residual herbicide like Warrant®, Authority® or Sonic®. Regardless of which herbicide you use, please read and follow all label recommendations.
At press time, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds will have seven XtendFlex soybeans available for spring 2021 planting:
All of these XtendFlex releases carry strong Soybean Cyst Nematode tolerance. Contact your Latham Dealer or RSM for current availabilities.
Variable rate (VR) seeding in corn has been a frequent topic of conversation for years, but now that conversation is shifting to VR seeding soybeans. Before planting VR seeding soybeans, we must change the way we think.
When your yield potential goes up in a corn field, we increase population. When corn yield potential goes down, we decrease population. Makes sense, right? It’s the opposite for soybeans. When yield potential increases, lower your planting rate in a soybean field. When your yield potential decreases, increase the planting rate. Our trials to date have shown the most return on investment in lower-yielding environments where population was decreased.
Why invest more in a geography where yield potential is less for soybeans? There’s good reason! Percent germination in soybeans is one big reason.
When you plant tougher areas in the field, you’re not going to achieve 100% of your germination rate. Now think of your high yielding areas in your field… There is a much greater chance you will achieve close to 100% germination there. High-yielding areas typically have better soils and drainage, so it makes sense to plant more seed in low-yielding areas to increase the germination rate.
We enjoy sitting down with farmers and talking about whether VR planting is right for them. Our Data Forward™ team is here to help you get comfortable with implementation. Phil Long and I love to do On-Farm Trials in your own fields, so this could be a good starting place for farmers wanting to experiment with lower seeding rates. We can experiment on a smaller scale while placing learning blocks throughout the field. Using learning blocks and on-farm research allows us to compare different zones of a farmer’s field and to also compare to previous years.
Imagine the savings if we can drop soybean planting populations by even 20,000! The savings from reducing planting rates from 160,000 to 140,000 can then be invested into seed treatment or something else that protects yield and helps you achieve optimal germination. This allows farmers to continue to achieve higher yields while lowering planting populations.
Give your Precision Agronomy Advisors a call today! Let’s start a conversation about conducting on-farm research.
Tune in as Phil & Kilah discuss the movement of Soybean Gall Midge across the Midwest. Learn about the life cycle of this pest, identification and a few management practices. #AskTheAgronomist
:45 – Topic introduction
1:40 – Soybean gall midge spread across the Midwest
3:00 – Life cycle of soybean gall midge
5:00 – Gall midge identification
12:30 – Pace of gall midge spread
Phil Long tackles both the corn and soybean seed size discussion in the videos below. Tune in to learn if seed size matters on your farm!
XtendFlex soybeans, which were approved for global sale in September 2020, will be an important tool to manage resistant weeds. The combination of tolerance to dicamba (XtendiMax®, Engenia® and Tavium®), glyphosate (Roundup®) and glufosinate (Liberty®) herbicides offers a unique triple option of choices to control a wide range of grasses and broadleaf weeds in soybean fields.
Farmers who have used Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans are generally happy with their yields but desire better weed control options. Most farmers with whom I’ve visited believe they must wait as long as possible to apply the post-emergence dicamba products with the Xtend system. This application was later than ideal, resulting in weed escapes and even off-target movement of the dicamba herbicide to neighboring soybean fields that weren’t tolerant to that herbicide.
Using the XtendFlex system will allow farmers to apply dicamba herbicide earlier. They can spray either pre-emergence or early post-emergence when weeds are at labeled heights and are most sensitive to the herbicide. This should also greatly reduce the likelihood of off-target movement of dicamba to nearby sensitive crops.
Another benefit of the XtendFlex system is that farmers can apply Liberty herbicides up to the R2 stage of growth if there are any weed escapes. It is still highly recommended that weed management programs start with a pre-plant or early pre-emergence residual herbicide like Warrant®, Authority® or Sonic®. Regardless of which herbicide you use, please read and follow all label recommendations.
At press time, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds will have seven XtendFlex soybeans available for spring 2021 planting:
All of these XtendFlex releases carry strong Soybean Cyst Nematode tolerance. Contact your Latham Dealer or RSM for current availabilities.
Tune in as we discuss if corn seed size matters. From germination to emergence, learn the importance of an even stand and how seed size can play a role. #LathamSeeds
:45 – Topic introduction
2:40 – Emergence & germination
5:20 – Seed placement
9:20 – Seed genetic potential
10:10 – Seed orientation
Does varying seed size can have effect germination and emergence? Tune in to find out! #AskTheAgronomist
:39 – Topic Introduction
2:05 – Local seed production
2:45 – Germination and emergence
6:15 – Planting date
10:30 – Establishing high yield