Soybeans ready for new yield breakthrough

KEMPTVILLE — Ontario soybean yields over the last seven years have been showing an increased yield of 0.01 per cent per year. However, research plots have been higher at 0.3 bushels per acre, said soybean specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs, Horst Bohner, at the Crop Day conference in Kemptville last month.

However, that is about to change, he told the audience. Monsanto has developed a gene that will raise yields between seven to 10 per cent. "That’s huge," he said, pointing out that the Ontario average in 2007, a less than stellar year, was only 31.5 bushels.

The new seed will be sold by numbers rather than by the bag.

A second boost in yields may come about through a more concentrated use of potassium. "Soybeans love potassium," he said. Quoting the United States Department of Agriculture, he added: "More plant diseases have been retarded by the use of potassium fertilizer than any other substance."

By increasing the recommended application of potassium fertilizer by 10 times, among other things, a U.S. farmer has set a world record of 140 bushels per acre.

Improving your yield still relies on astute management and reliable weather. Planting dates are crucial. The optimum planting date is May 10. Soys planted then averaged 54 bushels per acre in research plots but declined to 48 bushels when planted May 24. Yields declined steeply after a May 24 planting date.

Inoculants can get you an extra bushel an acre, he said.

A planter was superior to a drill if run at low speed, under five miles per hour, he noted. The planter improves uniformity of spacing, important for achieving yields of 55 bushels an acre or more.