In the Furrow
Interest in soybeans increasing
By Will Duffie County Extension Coordinator

Rallies in soybean cash prices along with futures contracts have begun to draw interest. Soybean production in B u r k e County has dramatically decreased in recent years due to factors such as low prices, increased cot- ton and peanut acres, and poor rotation with peanuts. The main interest thus far has been in corn production. With limited corn seed and increases in fertilizer prices, many growers are beginning to rethink planting soybeans.

Soybeans yields for Burke County have averaged 23 bushels per acre over the past 10 years. Soybeans under irrigation will often yield from 45 to 60 bushels per acre, while dryland soybeans are subject to dry periods and will range from 10 to 40 bushels per acre.

Basic inputs for producing soybeans are much less than corn, cotton or peanuts. Many good varieties are available, but growers need to select varieties with characteristics that favor certain fields such as nematode resistance. Plan on applying foliar boron, an insecticide, and a fungicide for Asiatic soybean rust.

Winter wheat acres are up in our county and many of these acres may be planted to double crop soybeans. Growers are urged to consider forward contracting a portion of the beans. Contracting 15 bushels on dryland and 25 to 30 on irrigated acres would be beneficial. Economists are not tying the recent price increases to a shift in corn acres but rather a demand for vegetable oil.

A Soybean Production Workshop is currently in the planning stage and will be held in the late winter. Contact the Burke County Extension Office at 706-554-2119 for information on soybean production.