We’re hearing this question a lot this year as rains continue to keep growers out of the fields. It’s good to step back and consider a few details when pondering this question.
- You chose this soybean and maturity grouping for a reason. They generally offer the highest yields with the best agronomic benefits (disease tolerance, standability, etc.) for your area. Because soybeans are a photoperiod sensitive crop, it really does not make sense to change your plans until the “light” changes. From the beginning of spring (around March 20) until the summer solstice (June 21), the daylight hours get longer, and more importantly, the nights get progressively shorter. This is what causes “optimum” maturity groups to perform as they do. After the summer solstice, the daylight hours get shorter and nights get longer. This is generally when you may want to switch to a maturity group that will mature physiologically without fear of frost damage. For example, in northern latitudes, you will want to subtract half of your maturity group. In the South, you will want to add half to 1 maturity group. Changing maturity groups by a few tenths really will not change the ripening or maturity process of soybeans dramatically. For example, soybeans planted 30–40 days apart in studies have matured within 3–5 days of each other.
- Trait consideration. You probably chose your soybean because of the trait tolerance it confers. This gives you the best opportunity to control the troublesome weeds in your fields. Changing maturity groups often means changing trait packages at this time of the year, which defeats your primary purpose in choosing this particular soybean. The Enlist E3™ system is going to provide the widest flexibility in post-emerge chemical options available in the marketplace. The ability to spray either glyphosate or glufosinate, or to spray together with the 2,4-D choline and Colex-D® technology, will provide exceptional weed control.
To learn more about seed considerations for late planting, contact your local Stine sales agronomist.