Kenny Roger's 1978 hit song "The Gambler" may not be about soybean management, but it provides some pretty sage advice as we head into the homestretch of 2021.
"You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table, There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done." -Kenny Rogers
Right now, the dealing certainly isn't done. Higher commodity prices plus bountiful rainfall means we still have high yield and profit potential on many of the soybean acres in the area. This unique circumstance indicates we are at a soybean management crossroads. Kenny Roger's said "you have to know when to fold 'em" but now isn't the time for that. It's time to double down and squeeze the most out of this 2021 soybean crop. Here are a few considerations as soybeans are beginning to move into reproductive growth stages.
Should You Spray for Bugs?
MAYBE. Corn earworm is the most damaging insect in soybean here in the Carolinas. It has an uncanny ability to wreak havoc, but spraying an effective insecticide will cost more than $10.00/Acre for just the product alone. Tack on the cost of application and you're looking at an expensive trip across the field. Spraying "just to be safe" or because the neighbor spraying can be a costly error. Likewise, damage from corn earworm can happen quickly, so regular scouting is recommended. The most affordable chemical control options such as pyrethroids are likely ineffective due to resistance, so don't be tempted to take the cheap way out.
Stink bugs are the 2nd most common insect problem in soybeans, but don't assume if you're spraying for worms you should go ahead and spray for stink bugs. Chemistries used for stink bug control, such as bifenthrin, provide little residual control. Stink bugs do the majority of their damage during pod fill but may remain an issue very late in the season. In the case of both stink bug and earworm, regular scouting and use of economic thresholds are a great way to minimize financial risk.
Is a Fungicide Worth the Money?
MAYBE. The likelihood of a positive ROI is higher than most years. Conditions have been favorable for disease development making it well worth consideration. When deciding if a fungicide is for you, I encourage you to glance back at your seed catalog and review the susceptibility of your soybean varieties to key diseases. Fungicides will not increase yields, but they will preserve them, so you're most likely to see a positive response to fungicides in soybean varieties more susceptible to diseases. Costs of fungicides vary greatly and may range from as little as a few dollars, to as much as $20/Acre. When choosing a fungicide, take into consideration their control of our key diseases like frogeye leaf spot, and be aware that fungicide resistance is a concern with the strobilurin (Group 11) class of fungicides.
Will Foliar Feeding Nutrients be Profitable?
PROBABLY NOT but.... MAYBE? The majority of University research indicates that foliar fertilizers rarely lead to substantial yield increases or a positive ROI. With that said, foliar feeding has a place in production systems, but decisions should be driven by in-season data using soil-plant tissue analysis. This is a tool to identify where your broadcast fertilizer applications are coming up short. We offer in-season soil-plat testing for only $38/sample. Just a few samples can reveal where and what type of foliar fertilization is most likely to yield a positive response. Deficiencies of micronutrients such as boron or manganese are not uncommon and can be affordably corrected with a foliar application. A word of caution: Many ag retailers offer proprietary foliar nutrition products that contain very small amounts of many micronutrients. Wholesale spraying these products can be costly, and may not provide large enough quantities of any one nutrient to address specific shortcomings your crop is experiencing.
If we can be of service to your farming operation as you navigate mid-season soybean management decisions, don't hesitate to reach out. Soybean scouting from first flower to season end is only $6.50/Acre. We serve all clients with the same focus and commitment, regardless of how large or small their farming operation is.
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