2021 Arkansas Soybean Yield Contest

A FarmProgress article titled “130–bushel soybeans: How’d they do it?” was posted by author Ginger Rowsey on Oct. 11, 2021. The article is about the new Arkansas soybean yield record set by Neil and Blake Culp in the 2021 Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge that is funded by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board using funds from the producer checkoff.

A few pertinent details about the Culp’s high-yield mark follow.

•    This exceptionally high yield was harvested from a MG 4.5 RR2X variety planted on Apr. 13. The Culps strive to plant their entire soybean crop in the Apri1 1-15 window.

•    The seeding rate was 130,000/acre, with a final population of 110,000 plants/acre.

•    Row spacing was 30 in.

•    A PRE herbicide was applied behind the planter, followed by a POST application of glyphosate/dicamba.

•    One application of a foliar fungicide was made at R3. A foliar insecticide was also applied.

•    The crop was irrigated four times.

•    A liquid carbon-based fertilizer was applied to the site.

A few factors that likely were major contributors to this exceptionally high yield are: 1) early planting; 2) mid-MG IV variety; 3) seeding rate below 140,000 seeds/acre; 4) application of PRE followed by POST herbicides; and 5) application of a foliar fungicide. The liquid carbon-based fertilizer may have also contributed by providing an enhanced food source to increase soil microbial activity. Click here for an article on this website that explores this possibility.

It is important to note that this yield record was set using proven and recommended practices for optimum soybean production in the Midsouth.

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Oct. 2021, larryh91746@gmail.com