Channel Field Check Up Series: Study evaluates ROI of soybean production inputs

This year’s U.S. Department of Agriculture planting intention surveys indicate that many farmers are swapping corn acres for soybean acres to take advantage of the lower costs of soybean production. But even with that management strategy, many farmers will continue to look for ways to boost soybean yield potential.

Fortunately, Bayer conducted a research trial in 2019-2021 that evaluated soybean planting rates and fungicide applications to help farmers determine the input combination that best supports both yield potential and profitability.

At the conclusion of the study, researchers found the seeding rate-fungicide configuration with the greatest profit potential was 120,000 seeds per acre combined with an R3 fungicide application.

On average, across populations over the three years of research, fungicide applications provided an average yield increase of over 5 bushels per acre and delivered an additional profit of $41.47 per acre.

Without a fungicide application, a seeding rate of 160,000 seeds per acre was required for maximum yield and profitability potential. This rate provided $42.60 less revenue per acre than the 120,000 seeds per acre rate with a fungicide application.

Overall, a fungicide application helped reduce disease development by approximately 20% based on general disease ratings.

A fungicide application this season may help Indiana farmers compensate for planting delays that could lead to later-maturing soybeans. Those soybean plants may be at higher risk for yield-limiting disease and insect pressure.

One of the potential benefits of an R3 application of fungicide on soybeans is the possibility for the plants to stay healthier longer and produce more flowers, pods and, by harvest time, larger soybeans. Soybean seed size is one of the four yield components that can have a major impact on final yield.

This soybean research was conducted at the Crop Science division of Bayer FOCUS sites in Illinois counties Kendall, Woodford, McLean and Macon from 2019-2021. The study included 32 soybean products from 2.2 to 3.9 maturity groups and were planted with different products used at different locations and replicated four times.

All seed was treated with Acceleron® Seed Applied Solutions STANDARD and ILeVO® seed treatment. Fungicides were applied at the R3 growth stage.

Farmers can review this study, published in the Channel 2021 Field Research Book, at Channel.com.

Always read and follow pesticide label directions. Channel® and the Arrow Design® is a registered trademark of Channel Bio, LLC. Acceleron® is a registered trademark of Bayer Group. ILeVO® is a trademark of BASF Corporation. ©2022 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.