Index

• Crop Conditions and Price Outlook
• Estimating Yield
• Late-Season Troubleshooting
• 1999 Virginia Soybean Yield Contest
• Virginia Soybean Association / American Soybean Association

Virginia's soybean crop has greatly improved since the last newsletter. The summer's drought was finally broken by August and September rains. Leaf area index (LAI) readings throughout eastern Virginia indicated average or better than average crop growth, therefore lack of canopy development should not reduce yields substantially. Corn earworm populations were up in the northern part of Virginia, triggering insecticide sprays. Some fields were sprayed twice. Some yield loss may have occurred due to late sprays. Still, our double-crop plantings look good and should yield much better than the last two years. I'm expecting the state-average yield to be higher than originally predicted and should range in the mid- to upper-20's.

While the soybean crop in much of the state is looking better, Hurricane Floyd damaged some of the crop in southeast Virginia. Most of the damage came from the wind and some fields remained underwater for an extended period. How will lodging affect yield? This is hard to say and will be quite variable. Lodging will reduce harvest efficiency and increase harvest losses, but can also directly affect yield due to inefficient light interception. The most vulnerable times are between R3 and R6 (pod and seed development). Pods may abort and seed size will be smaller.

The U. S. soybean harvest is expected to be lower than originally predicted, but we will still harvest a bumper crop. Harvest is just beginning in the Midwest and most freeze scares are probably over (the last one on 9/21 affected future prices minimally). Future and Virginia market prices are now hovering around $4.75 and 4.50, respectively. Exports are still strong, but cannot keep up with the huge supply out there. Therefore prices will not likely rise any further.

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Estimating Yield

I always hesitate to write a column regarding estimating yields because these estimates are usually not very accurate until the soybean plant approaches physiological maturity (R7), but I always have requests to do so. So, here it is. However, keep in mind that less than 25% of the total seed dry matter has accumulated by the R6 development stage; only 50% has accumulated by R6.5. Stressed during the R6-6.5 stages can result in large yield losses mostly by reduced seed size, but also by reduced pods or beans per pod. After R6.5, stresses will cause a much smaller loss. For a review of soybean development stages, refer to the Soybean Development Stage chart in the Soybean Production Guide or the Iowa State's "How a Soybean Plant Develops" at http://www.agron.iastate.edu/soybean/beangrows.html. The chart below describes the accumulation of dry matter in the soybean plant parts throughout the growing season.

To estimate soybean yield, follow the steps below. Be sure to sample in 5 to 7 different areas of the field.

1. Determine the number of row feet needed to make 1/1000th of an acre from the table below. In narrow rows, one may use 3 or 4 side-by-side rows instead of one long row.

   Row Width	Length of a Single Row to Equal 1/1000th Acre
   6	87'1"
   7.5	74'8"
   10	52'3"
   15	34'10"
   20	26'2"
   30	17'5"
   36	14'6"

2. Determine the plant population per acre. Count the number of plants for the row feet determined above in 6 to 10 randomly chosen areas of the field. Multiply this number by 1000. Average the number of sampling areas.

3. Determine the number of pods per plant. Count the number of pods on 5 to 10 randomly selected plants within the sample area and average.

4. Determine the pods per acre. Multiply the pod average by the plant population (step 2).

5. Determine the number of seeds per acre. Multiply the number of pods (step 4) by 2.5 seeds/pod.

6. Determine pounds of seed per acre. Divide the seeds/acre (step 5) by 2800 seeds/pound. The assumption of 2800 seed/pound is average for Virginia. A better estimate may be obtained from the tag of the seed planted. Higher numbers represent smaller seed that are more likely during drought.

7. Determine the yield. Divide the pounds/acre (step 6) by 60 pounds/bushel.

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Late-Season Troubleshooting

Late summer and fall is an excellent time for diagnosing problem areas in the field. Although it is too late to do anything about it at this time, proper identification of the problem will allow one to adjust their management strategies next year. Excess lodging may indicate that plant populations are too high. Diseases can be diagnosed and compacted areas of the field can be determined. August through November is an excellent time to determine if nematodes are present in the field.

Sampling for Nematodes: Samples should be taken in September while the population is at its peak. Samples taken after harvest will not be as reliable due to the nematode population decline. Composite 20 1-inch diameter soil cores taken in a systematic zigzag pattern over a 5-acre area. For larger fields with similar soil type and cropping history, select 2 to 5 random, representative 4 to 5 acre sections for field and follow the above procedures. Insert the sampling tube at a slight angle under the plant to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. This will insure that soil and roots are included in the sample. Thoroughly mix the soil from all cores and place in plastic or plastic-lined bags. Nematodes in the sample must arrive alive to be properly identified. Keep the samples in cool storage (refrigerator) until ready to ship. Do not store the samples for more than 2 days. Samples can be analyzed at Virginia Tech's Plant Disease Clinic and Nematode Assay Lab. Forms for predictive nematode assay can be found at County Extension offices. The table below lists the levels of risk for yield loss according to population densities of nematodes in a 500-cc sample of soil. The risk thresholds are based on numbers of nematodes present during late summer or early fall (August to November).

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1999 Virginia Soybean Yield Contest

I encourage everyone which good yields to enter this year's Virginia soybean yield contest. Rules and regulations can be found at all Virginia Cooperative Extension County Offices or on the Virginia Soybean Production Web Site.

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Virginia Soybean Association / American Soybean Association

I encourage everyone to join or renew their membership in the Virginia Soybean Association, which in turn gives one membership in the American Soybean Association. These organizations represent soybean producers on a broad range of issues, from trade and environmental policy to new uses for soybean products. Remember, check-off dollars that fund the Virginia Soybean Board and the United Soybean Board cannot be used for political purposes, therefore your membership in these Associations is the only way to insure that soybean interests are being represented in Richmond and Washington. Key policy areas where VSA and ASA efforts are boosting demand and increasing the competitiveness of soybeans and soybean products include:

• Policy positions for pending low soybean prices. Key elements include comprehensive crop insurance reform, priorities for economic disaster assistance package in 1999, various export and trade policies, research funding, tax benefits, and support for biodiesel.
• Congressional support of $1.0 billion in concessional soybean sales and donations overseas.
• House appropriations bill to restore soybean research funding.
• Congressional approval of legislation that encourages public vehicle fleets to use a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel (B-20).
• Opened doors for humanitarian assistance package to Russia, commercial sale to Iran of agricultural commodities (50,000 tons of soybean oil and 200,000 tons of soybean meal), and allowed export licenses for sales of agricultural and medical supplies to Iran, Libya, and Sudan.
• Ensured that new biotech soybean varieties are not release for commercial production in the U. S. before major foreign customers approve them for import.
• Added $374 million in marketing loan payments (increased soybean marketing loan rate from $4.92 to $5.26).
• Gained farmer tax benefits such as:
  • Income averaging was made a permanent part of the tax code.
  • Deductions of health insurance costs and medical expenses by the self-employed will be fully phased in by the year 2000.

  Please use the form below to join or renew your membership. Thank you.

  
  

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  Membership Application - Virginia Soybean Association
                           (Affiliated with the American Soybean Association)
  
  Name: __________________________________________   Date:_________________________
  Farm/Company Name: _____________________________   Spouse's Name: _______________
  Address: ________________________________________________________________________
  City: _______________________________   State: ______________  Zip: _____________
  County: _____________________________   Phone: __________________________________
  
  Age Category: (please check one)  __30 or under   __31-45   __46-59  __60 or more
  
  Occupation: (Please check one) __ Farmer  __ Elevator  __ Finance  __ Extension
                                 __ Agribusiness    __ Other
  
  Dues Enclosed:  ___ 1 year Membership - $45.00	___ 3 year Membership - $120.00
  
  Mail Application and Dues to:
  	Virginia Soybean Association
  	151 Kristiansand Drive, Suite 115 E & F
  	Williamsburg, VA  23188
  
  Recuriter:   David L. Holshouser			County:  Suffolk
  
  

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  Sincerely,

  David L. Holshouser

  
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