February 14, 2024

Missouri, US soybean yields aim to surpass national averages

Missouri, US soybean yields have the potential to match or even exceed national averages, according to University of Missouri Extension state soybean specialist Andre Reis, highlighting opportunities for growers to enhance productivity and farm income, Missouri Farmer Today reported.

According to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service, soybean yields across the nation have steadily increased over the past 80 years, with Illinois and Iowa showing notable gains. However, Missouri's progress has lagged, prompting Reis to focus on providing science-based research to empower growers and elevate soybean yields in the state.

In Missouri, soybean production is geographically divided into seven districts, with Districts 6 and 7, covering areas from St. Louis to the Missouri Bootheel, demonstrating higher yield increases compared to other regions. District 7 saw a significant rise of 0.62 bushel per acre in 2020.

Reis attributes the varying yield increases to factors such as the adoption of new technologies and strategies by farmers. This includes optimising planting dates, adjusting plant population based on variety requirements, and improving soil fertility and crop protection management. In regions susceptible to drought, strategies like combining maturity groups and planting dates help mitigate yield loss during dry periods.

Research confirms that planting date significantly influences yield, with late plantings after May 15 resulting in an average loss of 3.5 bushels per week, according to MU soybean variety testing data. Weather conditions during soybean's reproductive stages, particularly in July, remain crucial determinants of yield, with extended periods of precipitation shortfall and high temperatures negatively impacting growth.

Analysis of MU Variety Testing Programme data reveals that certain maturity groups consistently outperform others in yield. Maturity Group IV plantings saw a modest increase of 0.29 bushel per acre per year, while Maturity Groups II and III showed more substantial gains of 0.34 bushel per acre.

To assist growers in selecting the most suitable maturity group, Reis developed a decision tree that considers various factors such as day length, evapotranspiration rate, and precipitation patterns. This tool aids growers in making informed decisions to optimise soybean yield potential.

-      Missouri Farmer Today