When it comes to growing soybeans, timing matters — but not equally for every type of crop. New agronomic research indicates that the date a farmer puts seeds in the ground has a much more noticeable effect on double crop soybeans than it does on full season soybeans.
Double crop soybeans are typically planted after a winter grain, such as wheat, is harvested. Because the growing season is already shortened by the time those seeds go in, any delay in planting can have a significant impact on how much the crop ultimately produces.
Full season soybeans, by contrast, appear to be less dramatically affected by shifts in planting date, according to the research. While timing still plays a role, the yield differences seen in full season varieties are not as pronounced as those observed in double crop production.
The findings serve as a practical reminder for growers to prioritize getting double crop soybeans in the ground as quickly as possible after the preceding crop is harvested. Every day of delay during that critical window can translate into measurable losses at harvest time.
Agronomists say understanding these differences can help farmers make better decisions about how they manage their fields and plan their growing seasons, particularly in years when wheat harvest runs later than expected.
