In this episode of Kick'N Dirt, we kick off April with an in-depth conversation on soybean agronomy featuring special guest Dr. Shawn Conley, State Soybean and Small Grains Specialist from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With planting season gearing up, Shawn joins Mike and the team to dive into topics like optimal soybean populations, cover crop management, and variable rate seeding strategies.
From adjusting populations based on soil type and planting date, to the latest research on planting green and navigating white mold pressure, Shawn shares insights that are both practical and backed by data. The crew also discusses nitrogen management, allelopathy concerns, herbicide strategies, and how to make economical decisions in a tight margin year. Plus, they wrap things up with a light-hearted chat about Wisconsin beers and future fieldwork wish lists.
Topics include:
- Current recommendations for soybean planting populations based on soil conditions, planting timing, and field variability
- Strategies for managing cover crops, especially cereal rye, in both corn and soybean systems
- Research findings on how rye biomass and termination timing impact weed control and white mold development
- Considerations for variable rate seeding in soybeans
- Nitrogen management in high-yield soybean systems, including early-season and R-stage applications
- The influence of planting timing and maturity group selection on yield and harvest logistics
- Economic considerations for seed treatments, herbicide programs, and input prioritization in a tight-margin year
- The conversation also touches on emerging challenges like seed maggot pressure and slug damage in cover crop systems, as well as the importance of matching agronomic practices with changing production environments.