When we think about maximizing soybean performance, there are many agronomic factors to consider. Agronomists usually discuss variety selection, varietal maturity, seed treatment, seeding rate, planting depth, fertility, pest and weed control, and planting date, to name some of the key factors. In this article, I am going to focus on the importance of planting date and how it impacts soybean performance.

Earlier this year, the Education team pitched an idea for a podcast, and after months of brainstorming, research, content development, and interviews, Across the Acres was born.

Atlanta, Indiana – Beck’s, the largest family-owned, retail seed company and the third-largest seed brand in the United States, announces a territory expansion into the state of Nebraska. This expansion adds more than 15 million acres of corn and soybeans to Beck’s marketing area, bringing their total reach to 75 percent of the corn and soybean farmers in the U.S. The continued growth will provide Nebraska farmers access to the world’s most diverse genetics and traits and a culture founded in faith and dedication to helping farmers succeed.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8) 

The verse above took on new meaning for Teri and I recently when we became ill with Covid-19 and both lost our sense of taste and smell. All things considered, those were some of the minor side effects. As I write this, I still do not have my taste or smell back, and maybe I will not get them back, but in the grand scheme of life…I WILL live.

Over the past several decades, there has been growing interest by many farmers to adopt different tillage methods for reducing soil erosion, protecting valuable crop residue, conserving soil moisture, and reducing fuel consumption. While there has been successful adoption of no-till cropping systems in many areas to help accomplish several of these goals, some farmers have experienced lower yields and reduced ROI when attempting no-till practices.

Harvest season has quickly approached fields across the Midwest. Accumulating adequate heat units over the summer has allowed for corn and soybean crops to be taken out of the fields now. For corn production fields, the destination after the crop has passed through the combine is back to the processing plants to be processed. Exactly how does the production process work? Jim Herr, Beck’s Processing/ Inventory/Wholesale Manager, along with Jason Morehouse, Production Manager, give us an update on what’s happening in seed corn production this harvest season!

Beck's, the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States, offers an immersive summer internship program by providing college students with unique opportunities and an impactful experience.

Just as with corn and soybeans, we have developed five Practical Farm Research (PFR)® success strategies for weed management. Our PFR team has combined what we have learned from our studies to help you decide which practices you should try on your operation.

Each year brings new data from our Practical Farm Research (PFR®) team. By looking at diverse products and practices across several locations, we have determined five success strategies for corn that we believe will provide farmers with the highest likelihood of success.

What hybrid will you plant this year? How will you manage weeds? What’s for lunch? Should I sequester carbon? Until recently, you may not have thought about sequestering carbon, but this topic has entered a more routine line of questioning as programs continue to gain publicity.