As of Monday’s Crop Progress Report, 64 percent of Michigan’s soybeans are rated in good to excellent condition. While the majority of the crop is favorable, the early planted soybeans are having a tough time.
“I haven’t seen a lot of disease, but a lot of thin stands due to early planting,” said Ben Hoyt of Specialty Hybrids. “We probably pushed planting date windows and lowering populations made a lot of soybeans around here average at best.”
These patchy stands are a result of frost from earlier in the season and cold ground temperatures. That could put a damper on yields come harvest, especially in the south central part of Michigan.
“There’s a major concern about this fall because of so much replant and then the difference in the crop come fall time—probably will be a late harvest around here due to the replanting, difference of maturity and dry down,” said Hoyt.
There’s been a shift for growers to start planting soybeans early. But Hoyt says early planted corn always tends to yield well. That batch of corn will hit a good window for pollination.
“It’s only the second time I’ve seen corn in this area produce tassels shortly after the 4th of July,” he said. “What a perfect time for temperatures and moisture for pollinating corn.”
There’s still a way to go yet before harvest starts, but time will tell how the crop will turn out.
“There’s an old saying that it’s hard to raise a good corn crop and a good soybean crop in the same year,” said Hoyt.
This update was made possible by Specialty Hybrids. More information can be found at specialtyhybrids.com.
