Killing Your Soybeans Softly: Desiccating for Harvest
Some farmers are desiccating soybeans to help with harvest. Are they losing yield when they do it? Desiccating soybeans is more common in the Mississippi Delta regions where warm, humid climates affect soybean development. Soybean researchers across the country have been studying desiccation timings to help identify when and if a desiccant can be used to help with harvest but not hurt yields. There are some differences from north to south. Those differences will be discussed.
Speaker
Chad Lee
Dr. Chad Lee is an Extension Professor for Grain Crops at the University of Kentucky and Director of the new Grain and Forage Center of Excellence. The Grain and Forage Center of Excellence is a team of people focused on intensive agriculture and environmental quality. While the nucleus of this Center is at Princeton, KY, the people, research and extension efforts are across the Commonwealth. Through partnerships with citizens, commodity organizations, government-appointed boards, local industries and the greater agricultural community, the University of Kentucky is expanding its infrastructure to attract additional talented people to address questions relevant to the viability and sustainability of grain and forage management.
Dr. Lee leads an applied research program in corn, soybean and small grain agronomy. Projects largely focus on no-tillage systems where soil quality is as important as high yields. Dr. Lee provides leadership across Kentucky in Extension activities and teaches a grain and oilseed course to undergraduate and graduate students.