In-Furrow Technology: Soybeans
Most of the time, the subject of in-furrow fertilizer technology is associated with corn production. However, in recent years, as North American farmers have been planting soybeans earlier in the growing season, the idea of using in-furrow technology on soybeans is gaining their attention. Therefore, the article "Conquer Your Soybean Costs: Early Soybeans Flourish with In-Furrow Boost" which appeared on www.dtnpf.com on December 18, 2020 encouraged farmers to explore the use of in-furrow fertilizer technology for soybeans.
When Growers Mineral, Corp. started in business in 1955, the soybean crop was in its infancy as a key crop in farmers' crop rotations. With that in mind, farmers purchased GMS with the focus centering on their corn crop. At that time, most farmers planted their soybeans with the corn planter after the corn crop had been planted, and some farmers would put GMS on their soybeans, as they did with corn, at a much lower rate than they used on their corn crop. As more farmers started using soybeans as an important cash crop, new planters and row widths came on the scene for soybean planting. During this time, the agricultural establishment suggested that farmers put higher rates of fertilizer on their corn crop and allow the excess of the fertilizer to carry over into their soybean crop. This approach allowed for soybean planting to proceed faster. However, as more operations went to using special soybean planters, more farmers started planting soybeans earlier, even as early as many producers were planting corn.
While the trend to earlier planting (for both corn and soybeans) was promoted by the agricultural establishment, farmers (and insurance companies) started to recognize that early planting is not always as successful as has been cited by the so-called experts.
As farmers realized that getting soybean reproductive set started close to the longest day (most sun energy) can be helpful for yield, they also saw production problems that arise with the earlier soybean planting. A huge problem with early soybean planting can be a cold and wet soil environment which results in very similar problems which occur with early planted corn. With that in their mind, many farmers are thinking that some in-furrow applied fertility for soybeans will be as helpful as it is in corn production.
Growers Mineral, Corp. today, as it has in years past, continues to recommend the use of GMS as an in-furrow application for soybeans. In most cases, the best rate of GMS for soybean planting with in-furrow technology is 2 gallons per acre which is applied in conjunction with 1 to 2 gallons per acre of water. When planting in sandy soils in warm climates, that rate may need to be cut by 50% or be placed away from the seed. The type of soybean planter used is not any problem for application because various planter kits are available for differing styles of planters.
Also, Growers Mineral, Corp. had always suggested using GMS as a starter on soybeans to allow a more environmental approach to crop production. Applying high rates of fertilizer during one crop season with the hope of it carrying into the next crop season appears to be risky from an environmental aspect. Today's agricultural sustainability discussions are definitely heading in the direction of lower applied fertility inputs for each crop season.
Once again, when it comes to the use of fertilizer with in-furrow technology, GMS has more experience with fertility balance, purity, and uniformity than any fertility product.
This is an excerpt from the Spring Growers Solution (2021) written by Jim Halbeisen, Director of Research & Education.
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