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Unfortunately, our peanut producers seem to be the big losers in the new Farm Bill. Quotas are history and will be bought out over the next 5 years. The price that they will receive for their crop will likely be substantially less; the target price is below Virginia's cost of production. Because of this and low cotton prices, I expect to see some acreage shift from both peanuts and cotton to soybeans
The low cotton prices mentioned above is due to over-supply and lack of demand. While the world supply of corn and soybean is also high, the demand is keeping up. Actually, our ending stocks of soybean are low compared to 5 years ago. With South America now delivering as many soybeans to the market in the spring as the U.S delivers in the fall, the soybean market is basically one of supply on demand. This is not all bad because weather scares could potentially move the market quite a bit and good pricing opportunities may arise, although likely to be short-lived.
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The appropriate seeding rate to give the highest yields will vary depending on planting date, row spacing, and soil type; all of which depends on the ability of the crop to develop approximately 3.5 to 4.0 complete layers of leaves by the flowering stage (I've spoke of this concept in the past as leaf area index or LAI). If a crop can develop this amount of leaf area by this development stage, then further yield increases will not be realized by increasing plant populations.
Planting date has probably the largest effect on leaf area development. May plantings have little trouble reaching the "critical" level. However, as the growing season is shortened as planting date is delayed, the amount of leaf area will be less. Because of less leaves to capture sunlight, yield will be less. The best way to make up for this lost leaf area is to narrow rows and increase plant population. Narrowing row spacing will generally give yield increases regardless of planting date, but greater advantage will be realized as planting date is delayed. Therefore, row spacing for double-crop plantings should never exceed 24 inches.
Maturity group (MG) should also be figured into seeding rate decisions, especially if late planting occurs. An earlier maturing variety, like a late planting date, will not produce as many leaves as a later maturing variety. In general, Virginia producers should plant a MG 4 or 5. MG 4 will produce less leaf area than 5's, but MG 4 usually produces enough LAI. However, I don't recommend MG 4 in the cotton/peanut growing areas. These varieties will mature in early- to mid-October, when peanut and cotton harvest is taking place. Leaving mature soybeans in the field during hot and humid periods will seriously degrade seed quality. Only use MG 4 varieties if you can harvest in a timely manner.
I continue to get questions about MG 3 (or earlier) varieties. They can be grown in Virginia, but may not produce enough leaf area at standard seeding rates. If using MG 3, increase the seeding rate by 10 to 20%. Also, these varieties will mature in mid- to late-September if planted in May. Therefore harvest quickly to prevent seed quality problems.
After deciding on the appropriate variety and row spacing for your operation, the correct plant population will be the next decision. This issue has received much more attention since the advent of Roundup-Ready soybean and the higher seed prices that go with this technology. Experience and years of research have indicated that full-season plantings in Virginia only require a final plant population of 100,000 to 140,000 plants per acre. But double-crop plantings will require plant populations of 180,000 to 220,000 plants per acre. But, you may ask, why the wide range in the recommended populations? The lower end of the range could reduce total amount of seed by 40,000 per acre (12 to 14 pounds); this could save $6 to $7 per acre on Roundup-Ready seed. So, why not just use the low end of the scale?
The problem is that the amount of leaf area development will depend on the amount of rainfall received in the vegetative stages and the ability of the soil to hold water. We cannot predict the rainfall; therefore the amount of growth from year to year will vary substantially. But, we have a relatively good idea of how well our soil will hold water. A soybean crop grown on a sandy soil with very low water holding capacity will have trouble meeting its leaf area requirements. Therefore, higher populations will allow the crop to use available water resources early to produce a larger canopy. In contrast, a crop grown on a soil with higher water holding capacity will require a lower population to produce the necessary leaf area.
Virginia research indicated that soybean yielded 10-15% less when the plant population was reduced to the low end of the scale when the higher end of the scale was needed. This was on a sandy soil with low water-holding capacity. Although the seed costs were higher, the increase in yield resulted in a higher net return.
On the following page is suggested soybean seeding rates for Virginia. Use the following guidelines to adjust seeding rates:
General
Full-Season
Double-crop
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There has been recent research conducted in Ohio and New York indicating that both fungicides and inoculants are of an economic benefit. Fungicide treatments added to inoculated soybean in Ohio generated additional profits as high as $15 per acre. Inoculants increased yield 1 to 2 bushels per acre in New York fields with a soybean history and 2 to 4 bushels per acre in fields without a soybean history. I don't deny that this may be the case and I trust and respect the two researchers who conducted these experiments. But, here in Virginia, we have not seen any consistent response to inoculants in fields with a soybean history and only a response to fungicides under cold soils or with less than 75% germination seed. Both fungicides and inoculants are insurance treatments and should be viewed as such. Although insurance will not always pay, it's nice to have it when it does. Still, I stand by the above recommendations.
| Desired Plant Population Per Acre | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Season | Double-Crop | ||||||
| Row Width | 100,000 | 120,000 | 140,000 | 160,000* | 180,000 | 200,000 | 220,000 |
| 36" | 8.1 | 9.7 | 11.3 | ---** | ---** | ---** | ---** |
| 30" | 6.8 | 8.1 | 9.5 | ---** | ---** | ---** | ---** |
| 24" | 5.4 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 9.7 | 10.8 | --- |
| 20" | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 9.0 | 9.9 |
| 18" | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 8.9 |
| 15" | 3.4 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.4 |
| 7.5" | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.7 |
Seeding Rate = Desired plant population ÷ (43,560 sq. ft./acre ÷ row width in ft.) ÷ % emergence
Example:
= 140,000 ÷ (43,560 ÷ 1.25 ft.) ÷ 0.85
= 140,000 ÷ 34,848 ÷ 0.85
= 4.7 seeds per foot on 15" rows
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The Virginia Soybean Association announced the availability on biodiesel, a renewable American-made fuel made from soy oil, in Eastern Virginia through Noblett Oil & Propane Company, owned by Doug Faulkner. The fuel, which can be used in any diesel engine with no modifications, will be offered in blends of 2%, 5%, 10% and 20% from Mr. Faulkner's three locations in Tappahannock, Kilmarnock and Montross. The announcement was made at Montague Farms, in Center Cross, Virginia, where the company's first sale of biodiesel was delivered last week for use in the farm's truck fleet. Virginia Soybean Board (Check-off) member, Bill Taliaferro is President of Montague Farms and has been instrumental in promoting biodiesel as a renewable fuel.
Virginia Soybean Board Chairman Ronnie Russell joined Mr. Taliaferro for the announcement, which was also attended by the Virginia Soybean Association's First Vice President, Wayne Bray, Executive Director Susan Haller and Phil Hickman, Department of Agriculture advisor for the Boards. The Association also announced a new $10,000 grant program designed to rebate up to $500 for first-time biodiesel use in Virginia.
Virginia State Delegates Albert Pollard and Harvey Morgan attended the conference, as well as Virginia Agribusiness Council President, Donna Pugh Johnson, to offer support for this agricultural initiative. Delegate Pollard is the author of Virginia's House Joint Resolution 205, which calls for a study of biodiesel use for state vehicles and support for building a biodiesel plant in the state.
Biodiesel improves air quality by reducing particulates and exhaust emissions from diesel engines without sacrificing engine performance and fuel economy. It is readily biodegradable and adds up to 65% lubricity to the low sulfur diesel on today's market, reducing engine wear and maintenance costs. Its use provides a stable domestic market for soybeans, thereby helping Virginia's farms stay in business and has the potential to reduce the USA's dependence on foreign oil.
Biodiesel can be ordered from the Noblett Oil and Propane Company in Eastern Virginia by calling 800-633-4467. It is available in Northern Virginia from Tri-Gas & Oil in Federalsburg, Maryland.
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Sincerely,
David L. Holshouser
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