Research

Soybean Planting Date Study

Key Points

  • Yield Increase: We’ve seen that pushing planting dates up by two weeks (from the first half of May to the second half of April) generated average additional yield of 14.2 Bu/A.
  • Frost Consideration: While soybeans can typically handle cold conditions, the soil still needs to be fit. If you plant early, you do take on a level of risk of frost to the crop once it sprouts.
  • Updating Tradition: The highest yield on the PTI Farm was found when soybeans were planted in March or April. After this timeframe, yield takes a significant hit.
  • Late-Maturing Variety: Initial data at the PTI Farm suggests if you have the chance to plant early, late-maturing varieties will produce the longest maturing period leading to the most nodes.

When is the best time to plant soybeans?

For many growers, it’s been historically common to wait to plant soybeans until corn planting is complete. However, data from the PTI Farm shows us that if you are planting soybeans around the traditional timeframe in May, you may be missing out on some significant yield potential.

Across six years of tracking various planting dates for soybeans, we have found that the ideal time to plant soybeans is actually in late March and April, provided conditions are ideal for planting. By planting early, you can extend the growing season for soybeans, leading to a higher yield.

While the idea of planting as early as March may make many growers nervous, even pushing dates just two weeks earlier could hold significant advantages for you! This shift produced an average gain of 14.2 Bu/A.

“If I’m given the opportunity to plant early, soybeans are going to be my go-to crop.”

Jason Webster, lead commercial agronomist at the Precision Planting PTI Farm Illinois.

Jason Webster

Commercial Agronomist

Soybean Planting Date Study Results


Past Study Videos

InsidePTI S3•E26


Variety Maturity & Planting Date ‣ Soybean

InsidePTI S3•E03


Planting Date ‣ Corn + Soybean

InsidePTI S2•E08


Planting Date ‣ Soybean

InsidePTI S1•E02


Optimum Soybean Planting Date


Study Details 

Study data collected 2018-2023 at the PTI Farm in Pontiac, IL.

Planting DateVariedRotationBAC
Row Width20" & 30"Population120K-140K
Soybean Prices

2023 - $13.09

2022 - $13.96

2021 - $11.98

2020 - $9.75

2019 - $8.68

2018 - $8.80

Hybrid

2023 - GH 3724XF

2022 - GH 2922E3

2021 - GH3582

2020 - GH3546X

2019 - GH3546

2018 - 31A22X

Related Tags

SoybeansPlantersInsidePTI

Contact

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