Agronomy Insights

Shortly after emergence, young soybean plants start putting down their roots. During this crucial time of development, soybean plants face a host of threats. Cool and wet conditions during and shortly after planting, favor seedling disease infection. As soil insects come out of their overwintering stage, they'll be drawn to seeds and tender roots. If not properly protected from early season threats, soybean plants can face emergence, stand establishment issues and yield impacts later in the season.

One of the most rapidly changing parts of the seed industry is seed treatment. In addition to fungicide and insecticide options, there are many supplemental fertility options are available to add to your base treatment package. Adding nutrients to the corn seed treatment or even in the planter boxes, has shown to consistently improve yields across varying environments.

When farmers think of managing crops, soil and tissue sampling is not always front-of-mind as a regular practice. Throughout the summer of 2022, Southern States interns collected soil and tissue samples bi-weekly for one farmer whose crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, and sunflowers - among others. This project placed a particular focus on corn and soybean fields.

How can you keep weeds from escaping your post-emergent herbicide applications in soybeans? Spray when weeds are small. Let Southern States Cooperative agronomy experts help you improve your soybean herbicide program.

Wheat growers can’t control the weather, but taking a holistic, integrated pest management approach helps minimize wheat yield losses due to disease. Local Southern States Cooperative agronomy experts can help you develop a year-long disease prevention and management program to protect your crop from yield losses.

In-season crop tissue analysis can uncover yield-robbing nutrient deficiencies before they impact your corn and soybean crop yields. Your Southern States Cooperative agronomy experts can help incorporate a tissue-testing plan into your nutrient management program.

Southern States Cooperative agronomy experts can help corn growers scout fields early and often to protect against yield-robbing insect and pest damage

From start to finish, phosphorus is a key team player with an important role in crop growth, development and productivity. Timing, availability and balancing with other nutrients help crops fully utilize available P. Start with fall soil testing to optimize P in your fertility program.

Choosing a hybrid is more than just picking a product from a seed guide. With an understanding of each hybrid’s basic production traits and yield potential, we can help you match the right hybrid to the unique needs and production capacity of your fields. Turn to Southern States agronomy experts to help you maximize yields on your farm.

Eliminate competition in your wheat fields with pre-plant weed management

Spring green-up is a critical juncture for the wheat crop for Southern States farmers. Be sure you’re not allowing early-season weeds, insects and diseases to erode yield potential by scouting thoroughly and applying the right combination of fungicides and insecticides.

Protect against yield-robbing insect damage by scouting soybean fields even before the planter rolls. Let your Southern States Cooperative agronomy experts help devise a scouting plan.