Field Drainage Hurting Soybean Yields

Field Drainage Hurting Soybean Yields

Soybean yields in Central Indiana are coming in at the high end of expectations, but poor drainage in some fields is cutting yields.  With about a third of the harvest complete, Fred Kramer, with DuPont Pioneer, says soybean yields are making growers smile, “The T series soybeans have been simply outstanding. I have some fields that are yielding in the 80bpa range and some down in the 50 bpa area.” He added drainage problems are the cause for the lower yields in some fields. This part of the state had some flooding issues earlier this year, and Kramer says too much moisture is hurting yields in some cases, “If we have wet spots, the yields are suffering; but, where we have good tile drainage, we are doing well.”

Kramer said the variety that is performing the best in Boone, Tipton, and Clinton Counties is 33T72, “That is a new bean for us and is a 3.3 maturity and has just been doing very very well across a bunch of different environments.”   

Much of this week, the harvest has been stalled by more rain. Kramer feels some field activity may resume this weekend.  HAT meteorologist Rob Wasson says most of the state will see dry conditions over the weekend, “There is a slight chance of some light rain showers in Northern Indiana on Saturday, but the rest of the state will continue to dry out.  I’m keeping an eye on rain chances early next week on Monday and early Tuesday.  A weak upper level trough could squeeze out a shower or two.  I’m not expecting a big rain event, but light showers will be possible.”

Listen to the complete report from Fred Kramer on the agronomy page of this web site.