What Ken Ferrie Learned in the Field This Week

If you’ve ever seen the results of the true armyworm at work, you know how the pest got its name. The larvae work like an army marching their way across fields feeding on crops. Be on the lookout because populations are moving into Midwest wheat and corn crops now.

Soybeans planted from April 3 to April 10 were hit the hardest as they were snared by temperatures dipping below 28°F. Corn didn't dodge the damage, either. Some corn crops at the V1 stage were smoked.

More ears at harvest is the key to higher yield. That requires starting with a picket-fence stand with photocopied plants, which is achieved by adjusting your planter as conditions change from field to field and within fields.

How you capture and manage light, water and nutrients affects pods per acre, beans per pod and the size of the beans. Maximize those three components of soybean yield and the bushels will follow.