Answers are from the Indiana certified crop adviser panel: Betsy Bower, Keystone Cooperative, Lafayette, Ind.; Jeff Nagel, Keystone Cooperative, Lafayette, Ind.; and Marty Park, Gutwein Seed Service, Rensselaer, Ind.

 

Early-planted soybeans won out easily again in my area last year. I have not planted before April 25, but if things are right, how early could I plant? I either no-till into cornstalks or behind a vertical tillage tool. Should I add extra seed treatments if I plant earlier?

 

Bower: It depends on where you are in Indiana. April 25 could be on the early side in northern Indiana and normal planting in southern Indiana. Soybeans are hardy, but some late freezes in the last five years have reduced stands enough to warrant a replant. Many farmers start as early as they are comfortable, and they plant gradually, not trying to plant most of the farm in just a few days.

 

Did you apply a fall burndown? What type of soil are you planting into? How well drained is the field? How early do you plan to plant? What is your normal seeding rate for early-planted soybeans? Perhaps plant 10,000 to 15,000 seeds per acre more in fields where you have replanted in the past. Plant normal to lower rates of soybeans in fields free of weeds with lighter soil textures and good drainage.

 

Also, consider planting at a higher seeding rate in fields with high residue from cornstalks and winter weeds or in poorly drained, heavier soils. If heavy rain is forecast in the next 24 to 48 hours following planting, wait for drier conditions.

 

Apply either Saltro or ILevo in addition to your normal seed treatment fungicide to protect soybeans from sudden death syndrome. These products also have seasonal activity on soybean cyst nematode, and Saltro has activity on red crown rot.

 

Nagel: Soil conditions and the upcoming forecast are important considerations. Several farm operations will plant any time starting the first week of April and after in central to southern Indiana if soils are fit and the 24- to 48-hour forecast is void of heavier rains and cold fronts. Operations in northern Indiana will start more toward mid-April with favorable soil conditions due to higher freeze risk after emergence. These planting dates have worked out well overall. Spring weather patterns often dictate early planting dates. Avoid planting if soils are “heavy.”

 

No-till cornstalks will retain more moisture. Vertical tillage tools can help dry out the upper soil surface of soil, although fields tilled when too wet in the spring can create a compaction layer and/or cloddy surface.

 

Use complete seed treatments. Soil environmental conditions for SDS are often increased with early planting. Consider adding Saltro or ILevo to mitigate SDS potential.

 

Park: This all depends upon your location and frost/freeze risk for late April. Soybeans can normally pull through a light frost but not a freeze. In northwest Indiana, planting soybeans prior to April 15 increases your risk of getting caught by that freeze after soybeans have emerged. Growers have gotten away with planting prior to April 15 the past few years, but one of these years, they will get caught in a replant situation. For early planting, watch the weather forecast and focus on varieties with very good emergence and vigor as well as disease tolerances. Treat those varieties with a strong seed-treatment program.