10 ways to make more money in corn and soybeans

There aren’t many sure things when growing corn and soybeans, but through its Practical Farm Research program, Beck’s has delivered 10 strategies that have a proven track record of payoff for at least three years, at multiple locations. The research is noted in the 2021 edition of Beck’s Practical Farm Research, which provides nearly 300 pages of research summaries from nine sites.

Jim Schwartz, director of agronomy and PFR for Beck’s, takes us through the top tips. The research results assume $4.78 soybeans and $11.95 corn.

Five for corn

1. Plant in AprilBased on 21 years’ worth of multiple-location research, planting corn April 16-30 yields a 7.8% higher yield than the mean. The next best is April 1-15 and May 1-15. This yield increase is about 4% over the mean. Schwartz says that the yield penalty of delayed planting in corn is not as severe than it is in soybeans. “Achieving a uniform stand is more important than calendar date,” he says.
2. Change your closing wheels.Instead of using the factory’s two rubber closing wheels, a pair spiked wheels is almost always better. Three years of multi-location data suggests that Yetter Poly Twisters have an almost always better yield than factory closing wheels. Other winners include Copperhead Ag Furrow Cruisers (+3.8), Schuffert Mohawk +3.6, Schuffert Zipper (+1.1) and SI Distributing Finger-Till (+1.2).
3. Apply starter fertilizer to both sides. Assuming the same amount of total nitrogen is applied to the corn crop, applying 60 units of N in a 2×2×2 application at planting yielded 222.8 bushels per acre, vs. 30 units in a 2×2×2 or 30 units in a 2×2 scenario. Schwartz claims that planting on both sides of a row increases root growth.
4. Sidedress nitrogen Corn needs N throughout the growing season, but it’s critical from V10 to R6. Split-applying N to reduce weather-related losses in corn is a sound strategy. The PRF research shows that applying 30 units in a 2×2 band at planting, and sidedressing 160 units at V3 provides a $72.36-per-acre return. This is the exact same return as a single V3 sidedress application of 190 units.
5. Apply fungicide to VT.While fungicides can be applied to corn are a common practice in the United States, doing so at VT is the best value. This practice was found to result in a $20.39-per acre profit increase, based on multiple-location research over three years. Application at V5 lost $3.50/acre, while VT and V5 led to a $2.48/acre increase in profit.

Five for soybeans

1. Fungicide at Rs 3.A fungicide application at R3 is the best value for soybeans. It provides a $17.68 return compared to -$3.91 at R or -$2.53 R4. Schwartz says that R3 has a 3/16-inch pod at the top four nodes. Beck’s notes that about 70% of the soybean yield comes from nodes 6 to 13; these are usually present at R3 and thus, will benefit from the fungicide.
2. Plant April 16-30.Early planting increases node count, which is why planting early is so important for driving yields. This strategy yields 6.5% more than the mean, and is the sweet spot. April 1-15 offers a 6% yield rise; May 1-15, at 4.6%, is the only other time that planting can result in a yield growth above the mean.
3. Seed treatments pay. Over 12 years of multiple location data, using Beck’s proprietary Escalate seed treatment (a combination of fungicides, nematicide, bio-stimulant, bio-fungicide, and bio-insecticide) provides a $47 ROI compared with untreated.
4. Ideal rows are 15 inches in length. In 10 years of multiple location data, planting in 15-inch rows vs. 30-inch rows results in the “Economic Optimum Seeding Rate,” the company says. The 15-inch row width is better than the 30-inch rows for all seeding populations. Wider rows capture more sunlight and allow for a greater canopy to prevent weeds.
5. Seeding date and rate math.100,000 seeds per acre in 15 inch rows generates $694 in gross income, compared to $650 for 30-inch rows that yield 100,000 seeds per annum, when planting early. Assuming that you can control weeds well, a reduced rate of soybeans may encourage the plants’ growth. If you choose to plant later (from May 16), increase your seeding rate up to 125,000 or 150,000 per acre. Beck’s doesn’t necessarily recommend planting 100,000 seeds per acre, but the research shows that planting over 150,000 seeds per acre won’t pay. And, thin stands of 80,000 to 100,000 seeds per acre probably won’t require replanting.