News
Soybean planting off to a good start
U.S. soybean planting is ahead of its usual pace.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says two percent of the intended acreage has been planted as of Sunday.
“That’s actually ahead of the five-year average of one percent (and) ahead of last year’s one percent. Vast majority of the early planting of course has been in the southern states.”
Louisiana leads the way at 24 percent complete.
Northern Iowa farmer Brent Renner says he’s surprised by the interest in planting soybeans early.
“It’s unbelievable to me how popular early-planted soybeans have become. I’ve talked to a seed representative in northeast Iowa, and she said that their seed plant is pumping out as many soybeans as it is corn at the moment.”
He tells Brownfield some studies indicate there’s a bigger benefit to planting soybeans ahead of corn. But Renner says it’s risky as you go north because the growing season shortens.
